MARKET PLANTS.— PALMS. 



some growers obtain 18s. for their best. In G-incb pots Latanias sometimes only 

 realise 12s. per dozen, but 15s. to 18s. are obtainable in some markets. Kentias, 

 in the same-sized pot, are worth 40s. to 50s. per dozen, leading trade growers obtain- 

 ing still better prices. Areca Baueri is sold at much the same price. After palms 

 are out of 8-inch pots they arc sold at anything from Gs. to 120s. each, but only 

 those with plenty of glass and an assured trade can afford to keep palms till they 

 reach a large size. 



All palms grown for the markets arc raised from seeds, the prices of which vary 

 considerably according to the 

 supply and demand. The seed 



favourable conditions to free ger- 

 mination. In the case of seeds with a thick hard covering, the shell should be filed 

 through, and the seeds further soaked for twenty-four hours in hot water before 

 sowing. Progress at first will be slow, but when two, three, or four leaves have 

 partially developed, the time has arrived for moving the plants singly into pots just 

 large enough to hold the roots, taking care not to bury the base of the stems, as 

 these, from first to last, ought only to rest on firm soil. The young plants will 

 make the most rapid progress if plunged in a mild hot-bed or cocoanut fibre refuse, 

 on a bench over hot-water pipes. They may be arranged thickly at first, giving 



may be sown at any time in the 

 year, but the best results follow 

 the practice of sowing new seed 

 in February or March. The 

 older the seed the slower the 

 germination and the weaker the 

 plants. Sow thickly in well- 

 drained pans or shallow boxes 

 filled with fine loam, a little peat 

 and sharp sand, pressing the seeds 

 into this, and covering them 

 rather more than their own thick- 

 ness with fine soil. Brisk bottom 

 heat, a house temperature of 75°, 

 with uniform genial moisture, are 



