ON PALMS, CYCADS, AND BAxMBOOS. 



Zamia. — This is really the largest and the richest genus of the 

 whole order, some twenty or thirty species being in cultivation ; 

 all are extremely decorative, and require stove or greenhouse 

 treatment. They are somewhat closely allied to Encephalartos ; 

 however, they form a well-marked genus. Zamias require a 

 compost of equal parts loam and sandy peat, and are shade- 

 loving , plants. A copious supply of water is needed throughout 

 the growing period ; but when the plants are at rest they do not 

 require much. They may easily be increased by suckers or by 

 offsets, which are sent up pretty freely. Z. furfiwacea is a 

 handsome species, with a cylindrical trunk and prickly petioles ; 

 the leaves are divided into leaflets, which are opposite or 

 alternate, and vary in number from fifteen to thirty on each 

 side. Z. integrifolia is a very distinct species, which ought to be 

 largely grown, as it is the most robust species of the genus, 

 thriving fairly well in a greenhouse ; it produces a slender stem 

 with pinnate leaves and oblong pinnae. Z. pida is another 

 distinct species deserving to be more extensively grown ; it has 

 been classed as a variety of Z. muricaia, to which it is far 

 superior. The trunk is of a glabrous colour, with stout and 

 pubescent petioles, and the leaflets are splendidly spotted with 

 white. Z. Skinnei-i has a stem varying from ift. to 3ft. in 

 height, with black and prickly petioles ; the leaves, which often 

 reach 3ft., are pinnate and spreading, and the bright green 

 pinnse are somewhat armed towards their apex. Many other 

 varieties are in cultivation, but the above list includes the best. 



Bamboos and their Allies. 



Amongst the numerous genera of this distinct and characteristic 

 order Grami?iecE, Bamboos and their allies form the best tropical 

 representatives. Some of them are eminently ornamental, varying 

 in size from the noble and majestic Dendrocabamus, which in 

 the Tropics form impenetrable forests, to some of the dwarf 

 Arundinarias and Bamboos, and all are worthy of a place in 

 every well-regulated conservatory or greenhouse. 



Unfortunately Bamboos are not generally known by horti- 

 culturists. They are, however, most decidedly plants of the future, 

 and, taken in a general way, are highly decorative, fairly free- 

 growers, and able to stand an amount of rough treatment that 

 would mean death to tenderer plants. Furthermore, they can 

 adapt themselves to all manner of situations. Many have proved 

 quite hardy in favourable localities, and thus can be employed 

 in landscape work ; but it is our present purpose to treat of 

 those that are most suitable for indoor cultivation. 



Culture. ■ — Bamboos, &c., like all other plants, give the 

 greatest satisfaction when they receive the best possible treatment. 

 In the present case we will divide them into two groups, 



