163 GEBENHOUSE MANAGEMBIIT. 



the points noted above, the care required is not unlike 

 that needed by that well-known plant. 



CHAPTEE XI. 



PALMS, PANDAITUS AND ARATTOAEIAS. 



Pew families of plants contain more cultivated 

 Bpecies than does the one to which the common name of 

 palm has been given. Although they have for long 

 years been grown quite generally in greenhouses, they 

 are coming more and more into favor for purposes of 

 decoration. The well-known Fan palm (commonly 

 known as Latania), and the Corypha, with its broad 

 leaves, were formerly used for this purpose, but they 

 were often badly torn, even with the most careful han- 

 dling, and they did not grow in favor ; although desira- 

 ble in the conservatory, other kinds are now regarded as 

 more useful. The present favorites are some of the pin- 

 nate leaved Arecas and Kentias, and they seem admir- 

 ably adapted for it, as they are not injured by rough 

 usage, and as they succeed better than most palms in a 

 dry atmosphere, they are much used as house plants. 



Nearly all palms grow readily from seed, and 

 although thousands are imported annually, hundreds of 

 thousands are each year grown in this country from 

 imported seed. The seed should be obtained as fresh as 

 possible and planted immediately, in .«andy loam soil, 

 in a good bottom heat. Although they can be sown on 

 the beds, it is best to use pans, pots, or boxes, in order 

 to be sure of proper drainage. While 70 degrees can be 

 taken as an average temperature for germination, some 

 stove plants need more, and a few greenhouse forms will 

 start as well at a lower temperature. If the seeds are 



