366 



THE PALM STOVE. 



PROPAGATION OF PALMS. 



The majority of Palms are increased by seeds ; but as these rarely 

 ripen in Europe, they are usually imported from their native countries, 

 and for the most part anive in better condition for vegetation than 

 tropical seeds in general. 



A paper on the propagation of Zamias, ^hich may be applied to other 

 species also, was sent to the Horticultural Society by Mr. Faldemian, 

 chief gardener in the imperial botanic gardens at St. Petersbm'gh, detail - 

 ing his success in increasing the Zamia horrida from the hard scales 

 which form the bases of the leaves. The substance of this communication 

 was, that the stem of a plant of the above species became to all appear- 

 ance dead, the centre having entirely rotted within it. The cavity thus 

 formed was filled with dry sand, the plant placed in a dry, shaded part of 

 the stove, and covered vath. a bell-glass ; in the course of three months 

 the scales pushed out small leaves and roots, when they were carefully 

 separated and planted singly in pots, in white sand, in which they grew, 

 and ultimately produced good plants. Zamia and Cycas of different 

 species have been propagated in this country by destroying the centre of 

 the stem, upon exactly tlie same physiological principle as that of destro^dng 

 the centre of a bulb, or propagating by scales, those bulbs which form them 

 having the rudiment of a bud or leaf at their apex. 



Some species of Zamia propagate by suckers, but rarely, while ChamcB- 

 ropshumilis and C. serrulata increase freely by the same means, and Rliapvi 

 fladelliformis is readily increased by dirision of the root. 



