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Livistona chinensis, L. australis, L. iotundifolia, Thrinax elegans 
and Pritchardia pacifica are good kinds with fan-shaped leaves 
and Ptychosperma McArthurii, Cocos plumosa, Oreodoxa regia, 
Martinezia caryotaefolia and Chrysalidocarpus lutescens are 
species with a different and more erect habit and are worthy of 
a place in every garden. 
Ferns. 
Ferns thrive admirably in this climate and are largely grown, 
but in the majority of cases the number of kinds is limited. 
Maiden-hairs (Adiantum) are the favourite class, and of these A. 
tenerum, A. colpodes, A. trapezi forme and A. Farleyense are the 
kinds most generally grown. Our local Ferns do not receive the 
attention they deserve for there are many beautiful and interest- 
ing kinds wild in the jungle and by the road-sides. For the 
majority of Ferns a moist shady place is suitable, but for gold 
and silver Ferris (Gymnograms) and some of the Adiantums a 
dry and shady place with protection from heavy rains suit therm 
best. Plenty of leaf-mould and a little old lime-rubbish suits 
nearly all Adiantums, many of which are found naturally grow- 
ing on lime-stone rocks. Brick-dust and broken charcoal is also 
beneficial for many Ferns. 
Dracaenas. 
Dracaenas are very effective pot plants and not difficult to grow, 
but it is only now and then one sees them in perfection, that is, 
well coloured and with leaves close down to the pot. As a rule 
there is a foot or two of stem without any leaves. This is easily 
remedied in the following manner. Remove with a sharp knife 
a few of the lower leaves, if they are at all bad, and quite close up 
to the good ones remove a ring of bark about one-eighth of an inch 
broad right around the stem. Take a good handful of coco-nut 
fibre and tie it firmly around the stem about two inches below 
the ring so that by drawing up the ends you can form a cup, into 
which put a handful or two of light sandy soil or leaf-mould so 
that it comes in direct contact with the part from which the bark 
lias been removed ; then tie it firmly so that it cannot slip down 
and keep it moist until the new roots show themselves pushing 
through the ball of fibre when it can be cut off close below the 
ball and planted in another pot. This process may be repeated 
over and over again as often as the plant loses its lower leaves. 
It will perhaps be said why take all this trouble when by sitnpV 
cutting off the top and planting it the same end can be arriv er ‘ 
at ? It is true that Dracaenas grow easily from cutting, but ^ 
the top is cut off without being first rooted in the manner ju st 
described it wall again lose several leaves before it is rooted arjd 
be only a little better than the original. This plant is subject t0 
a root disease similar if not identical with one that affects sugar- 
cane and 1 find that the addition of a little lime to the soil 
beneficial. There are numerous named varieties in cultivate 311 
here, all of them good and effective when well grown. 
