PALM POTTING AND TEMPERATURES. 



11 



loam to one of peat, in a finely-divided state, with a moderate addition of silver sand. 

 Sow somewhat thickly, and cover the smaller seeds lightly, the larger more deeply, 

 or all with about their own depth with soil. Place the receptacles in a temperature 

 of 70° to 80°, on a stage or base thickly covered with ashes, which must be kept 

 constantly moist to nullify the drying effects of the hot- water pipes immediately under- 

 neath ; or the pans may be plunged in cocoanut fibre refuse over brisk bottom heat ; in 

 either case cover with squares of glass or layers of moss, and shade heavily. Ger- 

 mination is never very rapid. In some cases several months may elapse before it 

 takes place, and care must, therefore, be taken not to sour the soil by excessive watering. 

 Nor must it be allowed to become dry, as this also may be fatal to success, and the 

 cultivator should endeavour to keep the soil steadily moist without saturating it. 



Potting. — When the seedlings have formed two or three leaves, not before, remove 

 the plants carefully without breaking the roots, and place them singly in very small 

 pots, using a compost similar to that in which they were raised. Do not bury any part 

 of the stem, either at this or subsequent pottings, as the base ought always to just rest 

 on the soil. Arrange the newly-potted seedlings closely together on an ash-covered 

 stage, in brisk moist, heat, and afford shade from the sun ; or, if convenient, they are 

 perhaps better plunged in a bed of cocoanut fibre refuse. When the pots are becoming 

 well filled with roots, a small shift should be given, returning the plants to their old 

 quarters, and allowing them more room as they need it. 



Do not transfer from small into much larger pots at one operation, but increase the 

 sizes gradually, and the plants ought not to be moved into very large pots, or finally 

 into tubs, before the old soil has become fully occupied by roots. As a rule, every 

 second spring is often enough to re-pot Palms. The roots are naturally coarse, and 

 should not be cut or injured by uncoiling those which may be matted about the drainage. 

 In the process of re-potting move the crocks, if possible, and fill the cavity firmly with 

 soil. For the larger pots or tubs afford ample drainage, and employ a compost of equal 

 parts of good fibrous loam and peat, with an admixture of silver sand. This answers 

 well for most Palms. The soil must be used in a coarse, fibrous state for the larger 

 shifts, packing it firmly about the roots. The peat may be reduced for strong plants, 

 and broken charcoal mixed with the loam. 



Some of the Palms require more heat than others, as will be duly pointed out, but 

 all must be kept constantly moist at the roots. Though thero is danger in over- watering 

 immediately after re-potting, abundance of water is required during the summer, also 



VOL. III. a A 



