384 MANUAL OF GARDENING 
After being rooted, they may be potted, using soil with a large propor- 
tion of sand. Well-established plants may be repotted in good loam 
and well-rotted manure. They should bloom the second year. 
Oxalis. — A number of hardy species of oxalis are excellent plants 
for rock-work and edging. The greenhouse species are very showy, 
growing without extra care, and blooming freely through the late 
winter and spring months and some of them make excellent window- 
gardening subjects. 
The house species are mostly increased by bulbs, a few by division 
of the root. O. violacea is one of the commonest of house-plants. Give 
a sunny window, for the flowers open only in sun or very bright light. 
The bulbous (tuberous) kinds are treated much as recommended for 
Bulbs (p. 281), except that the bulbs must not freeze. The tubers are 
started in August or September for winter bloom. It is best to use 
deep pots, or the tubers will throw themselves out. The crown should 
be near the surface. After flowering, the bulbs are dried off and kept 
until new bloom is wanted. 
The “Bermuda buttercup” is O. lutea and O. flava of gardens 
(properly O. cernua); it isa Cape of Good Hope species. Its culture 
is not peculiar. 
Palms. — No more graceful plants for room decoration can be 
found than well-grown specimens of some species of palms. Most 
florists’ palms are well adapted for this purpose when small, and as 
the growth is usually very slow, a plant may be used for many years. 
Palm plants thrive best in partial shade. One of the frequent causes 
of failure in the culture of the palm is the overpotting and subsequent 
overwatering. A palm shou!d not be repotted until the mass of roots 
fills the soil and preferably when it is active; then a pot only a size larger 
should be used. Use ample drainage in the bottom to carry off excess of 
water. Although the plants need a moist soil, water standing at the 
roots proves injurious. Withhold free use of water when the plants 
are partially dormant (page 347). 
A soil composed of well-rotted sod, leafmold, and a little sand will 
meet the requirements. 
Under ordinary living-room conditions, palms are subject to much 
