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PALMS. . [W. Rollisson & Sons’ 
PALMS, 
To recommend extensive cultivation of so ornamental and generally useful a class of plants as Palms 
would, by those who are acquainted with their charming and valuable qualities, be deemed almost super- 
fluous. Yet, until quite recently, how reluctant were amateurs generally to recognise their merits. So much 
so, that at no very distant period they were scarcely to be found in the country, but in a very few 
exceptionally large establishments or Botanic gardens, where they were, no doubt, looked upon as curiosities, 
entirely exclusive of the ordinary cultivator’s consideration, whether from an idea of their ultimate gigantic 
growth, or supposed inutility amongst a collection of plants, would be impossible to surmise. At all events, 
the groundlessness of the former objection need scarcely be urged, since the most gigantic of the race may be 
cultivated and enjoyed in a conservatory of moderate dimensions for nearly a lifetime without fear of their 
outgrowing their position. Equally fallacious would, be the latter assumption, for there is no genus of plants 
yet discovered that can give so rich and tropical an appearance to the stove or conservatory as Palms. 
Nor do their good services end here, their indispensability in house and ball-room decoration being patent 
to all who have witnessed their effect ; and the grandeur and grace of many species render them unrivalled 
as “table plants.” 
They endure the vitiated atmosphere of rooms in which gas is consumed, with more patience than most 
other plants, and require much less attention. 
Their cultivation also is of an extremely easy character, the matter of temperature being of the first con- 
sideration. But as this may readily bo arrived at within a few degrees by ascertaining their natural habitat, 
there can be but little difficulty on that head. The next, and apparently only other, point of consequence to 
be observed, besides occasionally repotting and cleaning, is that they have a liberal supply of water at all 
times, especially when growing, at which period, with scarcely an exception, the spiny varieties appear to 
luxuriate in being kept in a state of complete saturation ; in fact, they seem to thrive better when stood in 
pans of water throughout the spring and summer months. Whether or not these varieties inhabit lower and 
more swampy regions than the smoother kinds, it is impossible at present to decide ; but it is a curious fact, 
that they, as a rule, require a greater abundance of waiter. However, notwithstanding these little peculiari- 
ties, the whole race may be considered exceedingly easy of cultivation. And taking into consideration their 
numerous merits as decorative plants, together with the interesting details connected with their charming 
history, there can be no doubt but that these “ veritable Princes of the Vegetable Kingdom ” will ere long 
become as popular among “ Ornamental-Foliage Plants,” as Camellias and Azaleas will ever remain in the 
flowering class. 
ACANTHOPHCENIX CRINITA. 
Syns. Areca crinita and Calamus dealbaius. 
Madagascar and Isle of Bourbon. 
Leaves pinnate, branching in all directions ; pinnules long and pendulous, dark 
green on the upper surface, and milky white beneath, bristled at intervals along 
the upper and under surfaces of mid-rib ; with occasional hair-like spines on mar- 
ginal ribs underneath. Petioles and stem armed with long jet black spines, which 
are most dense near the base of the stem. This is one of the handsomest species in 
cultivation, and particularly effective for exhibition purposes. 
Prices on application. 
CALAMUS GETAH. 
Mount Ophir. 
Leaves pinnate ; pinnules alternate or sub-opposite, equi-distant, about 11 inches 
long and six lines broad, being slightly pendulous, on the two outer nerves of which, 
on their upper surface, are numerous hair-like bristles; their margins are also setosely 
ciliate, smooth underneath, except that the mid-rib, below, bears towards the a)pex 
several small hair-like spines. 
Petioles slender and clothed to about two-thirds of their length ; armed with a 
dorsal row of stout hooked prickles, and along*the margins with longer, generally 
defloxed, spines, within which, towards the base, are numerous long ascending ones. 
A most graceful and effective species, and will be found especially valuable for 
decorating purposes. 
Prices on application 
