THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Elaeis. — A small genus represented by only two typical 

 species ; these are, however, very remarkable on account of their 

 valuable economic properties, for they furnish the well - known 

 palm-oil of commerce ; they are also classed amongst our 

 decorative Palms. Elaeis are distinct by their bright red 

 fruits ; the leaves are pinnatisect, and are borne on strong 

 prickly stalks. Like all tropical Palms, the plants require stove 

 treatment. They are sometimes increased by suckers, but the 

 most successful method of propagation is by seeds. E. gumeensis 

 is the African species which is so well known for the production 

 of oil. It is an intermediate sort, the stem of which reaches 

 sometimes 30ft. in height, and supports a beautiful crown of 

 pinnate leaves, varying from 15ft. in length, and deep green in 

 colour ; in its early state it may be usefully employed for 

 decorative purposes. E. melanococca, from Tropical America, 

 possesses in some respects the same properties as its African 

 relative, producing also a large quantity of oil. It is rather 

 smaller in habit compared with the preceding. 



Euterpe. — A genus composed of extremely elegant tall- 

 growing stove Palms, represented in cultivation by eight or nine 

 species. The stems are always clean and naked straight up to 

 the leaves, which are pinnatisect, with narrow, linear-lanceolate 

 segments of a light green colour. Euterpes require a consider- 

 able amount of heat as well as a rich loamy soil. Some 

 of the species are largely cultivated on account of their beauty 

 when young. Propagated by seeds. E. ediilis reaches from 

 40ft. to 1 00ft. in height, and has a cylindrical stem, or trunk, 

 supporting a bunch of lanceolate and acuminate leaves. The 

 rachis and nerves are scaly beneath. E. montana is another 

 Palm of economic value, the terminal bud as well as the soft 

 inner part of the stem being used as a fresh vegetable. The 

 stem varies in height from 40ft. to 60ft. The petioles are scaly 

 beneath, and the leaves are lanceolate, spreading, and attenuated. 

 E. oleracea (Cabbage Palm) has an extremely hard trunk, 

 reaching in some cases over 120ft. in height. The leaves are 

 lanceolate-linear, acuminate, and glabrescent ; a handsome 

 species in its early state. 



Geonoma. — A very large genus, characterised by the dwarf 

 habit of its species, which are all more or less stove-loving ones. 

 They are to a certain extent allied to Chamcedorea^ but do not 

 possess such good decorative properties. The flowers, which are 

 monoecious, are borne on simple or branched spikes. The 

 leaves are entire or somewhat pinnately divided, and of a light 

 shining green in most cases. Geonomas require a rather spongy 

 soil, composed of two parts of fibrous peat and one of loam, and 

 a liberal supply of water. In some cases they may be placed in 

 pots partly plunged in water which is slightly increased in heat. 



