ON PALMS, CYCADS, AND BAMBOOS. 



unbranched, always marked with leaf- scars, and support a 

 splendid crown of pinnate leaves. xA.mongst the most striking and 

 valuable genera of this order are Ce7'atoza??iia, Cjras, Di'oon, 

 Encephalartos, Macrozamia^ Stajigeria, and Zamia. 



Importation. — Cycads taken in a general way are oftener 

 imported than raised. With "collected" stems care must be 

 taken that the plants are in a perfect state of rest, and that they 

 have not suffered during the journey. On their arrival the trunks 

 or stems must be potted up in as small pots as possible, using a 

 rather light soil compared with that which the plants require when 

 estabhshed. The pots should then be partly plunged in a bed 

 of cocoanut fibre or tan, with a very strong bottom-heat. Water 

 must be applied to the roots with great care, but copious 

 syringings may be given. When the plants begin to grow, suffi- 

 cient room must be given to each to enable it to develop its 

 graceful crown. 



Propagation and Culture. — These plants may be propagated 

 by various means. Seeds are the best method, but they may also 

 be successfully increased by suckers, which are sometimes thrown 

 up freely. The suckers, however, have to be treated with the 

 same amount of care regarding compost, drainage, water, &c., 

 as imported pieces. It is advisable to separate suckers during 

 the resting period, as then they will not be affected by the 

 operation. Old stems, cut into pieces and placed on a strong 

 bottom - heat, will often give rise to "eyes," which, when well 

 treated, will in time form other plants. The seeds are fairly 

 hard, and should be sown in well-drained pans, with a very light 

 compost, and placed in powerful bottom - heat, with any 

 amount of saturation until germinated, and then all the healthy 

 growing seedlings should be potted up singly. In the case of 

 newly-imported stems, which just begin to send forth their new 

 crowns, or suckers, and newly potted-up seedlings, shading must be 

 observed ; but when the plants are perfectly established they 

 dehght in an almost direct light. 



Ceratozamia. — This genus is represented in cultivation by 

 three or four species closely allied to Zamia. The only recorded 

 distinction is the thickened apices of the scales of the male and 

 female cones being bicornute instead of hornless. The stems, or 

 trunks, are rather short, with pinnate leaves and articulated 

 leaflets. Ceratozamias require stove treatment, a rich soil composed 

 of good loam and leaf-mould, and a constant saturated atmosphere 

 chiefly throughout the growing period. During their resting time 

 water must be applied with great care. C. fusco-viridis is a very 

 handsome plant, having a trunk provided with broadish scales 

 and beautiful broadly pinnate leaves, 3ft. to 4ft. long, and arching. 

 The pinnae are 6in. to yin. long, and of a deep green ; when 

 young the leaves are of a bronze colour, but change to a 



