CHAPTER IV 



PROPAGATION BY OFFSHOOTS 



Ordinarily an offshoot is ready to be detached 

 from the parent palm when it weighs from ten to 

 twenty pounds; it will then be from two to four years 

 of age. Alone of orientals, the Egyptians use much 

 larger shoots, sometimes up to 600 or 800 pounds in 

 weight. Perhaps the explanation of this is that the 

 large ones are the only ones which stand high enough 

 to avoid being drowned out during the annual inun- 

 dation of the Nile. If the offshoots are to be shipped 

 some distance it will still be advisable to pick those 

 of from ten to twenty pounds, or even a little larger, 

 as they will not dry out so rapidly, but if they are to 

 be grown at home, much smaller ones may be success- 

 fully rooted, and with bottom heat, to be described 

 later, an offshoot that weighs only a pound or two may 

 make as good a growth as the larger ones. Obviously 

 one saves a great deal of space by the use of such 

 offshoots, as well as gaining several years in the time 

 of the offshoot remaining on the tree. 



For shipping, an offshoot with thick, short base 

 has certain advantages, its moisture being more 

 readily conserved; but if the shoot is to be planted out 

 at once, the long slender type is perhaps better, 

 since the bud is then higher out of the ground and in 

 less danger of damage. 



The shoots from a tree which has had plenty of 

 room, a sunny location, and ample nourishment aie 

 to be preferred on accountof their superior vigor. Arabs 

 carefully avoid those from a tree which is crowded in 



