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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



very few other plants, while for grandeur and effect, in either conservatories or the 

 show-tent, perfect specimens are unrivalled. 



Palms are monocotyledonous plants and, like cereals and bulbs, produce only one seed- 

 leaf. Cycads are dicotyledonous and produce two seed-leaves in the process of germina- 

 tion (see Vol. L, pp. 8 — 9); yet Cycads are of Palm-like growth, but the flowers and 

 fruits (seeds) are wholly different, as produced in the form of cones ; while those of 

 Palms are in drupes — fleshy with seeds in a stone-like covering as in cherries. 

 Hanging bunches of flowers and fruits of Palms have an attractive appearance, the 

 cones of Cycads being more curious than beautiful. The two classes for cultivable 

 purposes will be treated separately. The illustration (Fig. 112) will convey some idea, 

 not only of the stately beauty of Sabal Blackburniana, but also of the adaptability of 

 Palms for association with other plants. 



PALMS. 



Noble as these plants are when of considerable dimensions, they are, as previously 

 intimated, not less attractive when in a small state. They are raised, grown, and sold in 

 millions for various purposes of decoration, in sizes varying from 6 inches to twice 

 as many feet in height. As a class Palms are comparatively easy to grow, especially 

 if the precaution is taken not to re-pot or re-tub the plants too often ; also avoiding 

 giving extra large shifts. In a seedling state progress is frequently slow ; but some of 

 them, in later years, grow faster and taller than their owners desire, and are equal to 

 forcing off the glass roofs of the houses containing them. They love shade rather than 

 sunshine and should be kept moist (not saturated) at the roots, allowing them to 

 become very dry during any part of their career proving a costly mistake. 



Pkopagation. — Where suckers form, as they do in the case of a limited number of 

 kinds, these, when large enough, may be detached, each with a few roots, from the old 

 stems, and placed singly in pots just large enough to hold them. They should be kept 

 growing in brisk heat and moist atmosphere, and subsequently treated similarly to 

 seedling plants. The great majority of Palms are raised from imported seed, in several 

 instances in such enormous quantities as to prove a source of considerable profit, not- 

 withstanding the slow progress of some of the young plants. 



Raising Seedlings. — The seed ought to be new, and may be sown at any time in 

 the year, but preferably in February or March. Prepare pans or boxes, 3 or 4 inches 

 deep, by providing effective drainage, and fill them with a mixture of two parts yellow 



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