ON PALMS, CYCADS, AND BAMBOOS. 



809 



not be placed in too dark a room, and that while they should 

 be only slightly watered, their leaves should be sponged from 

 time to time to prevent the accumulation of dust. 



Palms are also an important item in the embellishment of our 

 winter gardens, and when properly treated they sometimes reach 

 enormous sizes. It may be advisable here to say a few words 

 as regards their use in sub -tropical bedding. Matter for 

 regret is that this order is not more largely employed. 

 Trachycarpus excelsus, Chamcerops humilis^ and Fhmiix 

 cafiariensis are plants forming the most charming contrasts when 

 well grouped, and they may be used as isolated specimens or 

 as central ones in the making of sub-tropical beds, &c. In 

 southern counties, or in proximity to seaside places where 

 the temperature very seldom falls below freezing-point, they may 

 be planted out ; and when frost is expected they may be encased 

 in straw until mild weather sets in. 



Many of our London parks afford illustrations of a few of the 

 great advantages offered by some of these plants ; but in utilising 

 them for such purposes they must be planted in positions 

 protected from the direct north winds, the full south being 

 always preferable, and the soil should be previously prepared in 

 order to make it a trifle lighter. 



When Palms, such as species of Phcejtix or of Cocos, which 

 often reach good heights, are employed for landscape work, they 

 should be placed between other plants in order to obtain the 

 most picturesque effect. For isolated specimens, species of 

 Sabal, Latania, Chamcerops^ &c., are the best. But the accli- 

 matisation of some other Palms is worth trying. 



Soils would not, on first consideration, appear to have a pre- 

 dominant influence on Palms ; but it must be observed that the 

 plants are mostly found in a rich soil. We may divide the 

 requisite soils into two distinct classes : the first strong, i.e.^ not 

 easily dried up, such as loam ; and the second the light kinds, 

 rather rich in sand, and which dry up very quickly. 



In the culture of Palms in pots, a sort of rational compost has 

 to be prepared, viz., a mixture of the two above-named classes. 

 In some nurseries where Palms are largely grown, the compost is 

 carefully prepared some time before using, and the following 

 composition is a usual mixture : one third of good fibrous loam, 

 one third of leaf-mould, and one third of sand, but this is 

 only employed for established plants which need to be potted up. 



For the propagation of Palms a lighter compost is required, 

 through which water can easily percolate, and through which the 

 atmospheric influences, so useful for the germination of any 

 seeds, can penetrate. The proportion of loam must be consider- 

 ably lower than that mentioned above. 



Imported Palms from Southern districts {e.g.^ Algiers, the 

 Riviera, Italy, or Spain), which were grown in the open and 



