1898 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
6i5 
A WALL CUPBOARD. 
The wall cupboard, shown in Fig. 286, 
reproduced from The Lady’s Home, is 
modeled after a 16th century German 
cabinet, and may be made easily by an 
amateur carpenter. It is a box of thick 
wood 2 feet high and 3% feet long and 
1 % foot deep. A frame about 1% inch 
wide is made to fit the inside measure¬ 
ment of the box, and screwed neatly into 
place. The plain wooden doors are 
hinged on to this. The supports are of 
heavy wood, and the whole is rubbed 
down smooth and stained or varnished. 
Hinges of ornamental iron give the 
handsome finish. The whole cabinet 
must give an effect of solidity. Such a 
cabinet, supplied with lock and key, 
may be fitted inside with small shelves 
and pigeon-holes, and do duty for the 
family medicine chest. 
THE SOLUTION OF THE PUZZLE. 
Two weeks ago, we published a puzzle, 
which was to us quite a confusing one, 
when we looked at the arrangement 
shown in Fig. 273, page 583. We now 
ABC 
give, in Fig. 287, an explanation of the 
puzzle. Like all things of the kind, it’s 
very easy—when you know how ! 
On the Wing. 
PALMS BY THE ACRE. 
THE AMERICAN TRADE IN DECORATIVE 
PLANTS. 
[editokial correspondence.] 
Extent ok tiie Business. —Tropical 
plants are certainly far removed from a 
farm or nursery crop, though a quan¬ 
tity of palms are now grown under nur¬ 
sery conditions in the island of Trini¬ 
dad, whence they are shipped to the 
United States to receive a little extra 
polish before being put upon the mar¬ 
ket. But the trade in decorative plants 
is now so enormous that it adds materi¬ 
ally to the wealth of the country; it 
employs a considerable number of men 
(and a few women), and it adds to freight, 
express and revenue receipts. It brings 
money into the pottery districts, for 
young palms call for numerous shifts in 
pots ; aids the glass-makers, for Ameri¬ 
can “natural-gas-made glass” now ranks 
as high as the imported article; uses 
lumber, architectural ironwork, wrap¬ 
ping paper, twine, tobacco stems, lime, 
sulphur, paints, and a variety of other 
things not generally regarded as acces¬ 
sories to palms and ferns. One large 
firm is reported to handle half a million 
of these plants each year, and when we 
consider the many smaller concerns, 
where the output varies from 10,000 to 
50,000 or more plants annually, we be¬ 
gin to wonder where all the palms go to. 
How Palms are Grown. —These palms 
are all grown from seed. The seed of 
varieties most commonly grown comes 
from South America, especially Brazil, 
where it is raised commercially ; Aus¬ 
tralia supplies seed of native varieties, 
also. The seed varies a good deal in 
vitality, and sometimes gives a very poor 
stand of plants. It often germinates 
unevenly, too, and sometimes it is a long 
time before the stiff green blade appears. 
The seeds are placed as thickly as they 
will lie side by side, in a pot or pan. 
The soil used differs somewhat with dif¬ 
ferent growers, whose preferences often 
vary, but peat is a favorite. It doesn’t 
sour readily, and allows good drainage. 
Looking down a small house, the 
benches filled with close-set pots, it is 
hard to realize that it represents thou¬ 
sands of palms just making their first 
appearance. They look like the first 
effort of field corn, and these stiff blades 
persist for some time, for “character 
leaves ” do not appear until the young 
palm is progressing in life. Hence we 
often see young fan palms, showing two 
or three fan-shaped leaves, together 
with some straight blades. 
The Palm's Progress. — From the 
seed-pot the baby palm is promoted to 
an individual pot before it has a chance 
to become cramped or drawn. A pot 
much used for this purpose is a 2x3. two 
inches across the top, and three inches 
deep, unlike the ordinary standard, 
which would be 2x2, or 3x3. From 
this the palm is shifted—it may be every 
six months—until sold. 
Rapid growth is attained by hurrying 
the young plants along in a high tem¬ 
perature, but this does not give the best 
results ; it draws up the leaf stalks, giv¬ 
ing the plants a leggy appearance, and 
makes the foliage soft, so that it does 
not bear sudden variations of tempera¬ 
ture. A good decorating palm should be 
so stiff that its leaves rattle like wrap¬ 
ping paper when the hand is passed over 
them. 
Varieties and Uses. —“ Do you grow 
many varieties of palms for the decorat¬ 
ing trade ? ” I asked a large specialist. 
“No; the list is narrowed down to a 
few sorts. Many beautiful palms are 
not grown as decorative stock, either 
because they are tender, or because they 
are slow-growing. We want a palm 
that, while handsome in appearance, is 
a quick grower, possessing firm foliage 
not easily injured. The staple decorative 
palms are Areca lutescens, Kentia Bel- 
moreana and K. Forsteriana (both of 
these should be called llowea, but are 
called Kentia in the trade), Latania 
Borbonica (properly Livistona Chinen- 
sis), and the feathery little Cocos Wed- 
deliana.” 
“ Would it not be profitable to vary 
this list, and make it more extensive?” 
“ The tendency among growers is to 
lessen the number of varieties. Many 
fine palms, which do well under green¬ 
house conditions, suffer immediate de¬ 
terioration in house or store. These are 
the destinations of most of our plants, 
and we must grow with a view to special 
needs.” 
Some Great Palm-Houses. —The larg¬ 
est palm houses in the United States are 
at the H. A. Dreer establishment, in 
New Jersey. There are about five acres 
under glass, one block comprising two 
great houses of one acre each, united 
by a broad glass-covered corridor. These 
acre houses are built in the form of a 
number of even-span roofs devoid of 
connecting walls, the roofs being sup¬ 
ported by iron arches, while the paths 
take the space occupied by walls ordi¬ 
narily. In old-style greenhouse build¬ 
ing, it was often dillicult properly to 
heat a large erection, but there is no 
trouble of this kind with the powerful 
steam boilers now used. These large 
houses save space and are conveniently 
managed. The benches or tables have 
iron frames, and the walks are of cement. 
Keeping Sunshine Out. — Realizing 
that these palms are tropical plants, it 
seems odd to see them shaded from our 
sun. All Summer long the glass roof is 
covered with some form of whitewash. 
Plain whitewash washes off too easily, 
and must be renewed too often ; most 
growers have some special material 
which they prefer. Indurine, an inex¬ 
pensive cold-water paint used for paint¬ 
ing fences and outbuildings, is one sub¬ 
stance used ; it is more permanent than 
whitewash, and does not injure the putty 
used in glazing as the whitewash does. 
The latter eats out the putty, and causes 
the joints to leak. White lead or whit¬ 
ing, mixed with naphtha or gasoline, is 
also used for shading. Sometimes the 
shading is put on with a syringe, but it 
is more economically applied with a 
brush. It must be removed before Win¬ 
ter, ljut is usually washed off by the 
Autumn rains. It is, also, necessary to 
use Winter shading, if perfect foliage be 
desired. For this, tobacco cloth is used, 
tacked to the rafters inside the house. 
This is a very thin, loosely woven ma¬ 
terial, treated with linseed oil or some 
similar preservative material. It keeps 
out very little light, but breaks the direct 
rays of the sun. The reason for using 
this is that any little imperfection in the 
glass will concentrate the sun’s rays, as 
in a burning-glass, and burn a streak 
across any foliage within range. Such 
a defect lasts as long as the leaf does, 
and lowers the value of the plant. 
Imported Palms. —Palms and other 
decorative plants are grown in Belgium 
MOTHERS.—Be sure to use “Mrs.Wins¬ 
low’s Soothing Syrup ” for your children 
while Teething. It is the Best.— Adv. 
to an immense extent, and a great many 
are imported into this country. I have 
never yet seen foreign-grown palms that 
compared with those grown in this 
country, on first arrival; usually they 
give the impression that they have been 
rushed ahead with too much heat, but 
young stock is often purchased abroad, 
and then grown on to maturity here, im¬ 
proving remarkably in appearance. This, 
of course, does not apply to fine speci¬ 
men plants grown abroad, but to those 
that are rushed along by the thousand 
for the export trade. These plants, under 
the present tariff, are subject to a duty 
of 25 per cent. Greenhouse labor is 
cheap in Belgium, and the plants can be 
sold quite cheaply when small. 
Insect Enemies. —One hears little com¬ 
plaint of insect pests from the palm 
growers, though they are sometimes 
severely troubled by several scale in¬ 
sects. After once gaining a foothold, 
these insects spread very rapidly in a 
warm, humid house. Whale-oil soap, 
kerosene emulsion, tobacco water and 
lemon oil are all used. Few diseases 
appear to trouble palms under ordinary 
commercial conditions. Leaf blight, 
often seen in house palms, sometimes 
appears; although a true blight, it 
set ms to require some predisposing cause, 
such as defective root action, before it 
attacks a plant. As defective leaves 
lessen the value of a palm, the commer¬ 
cial grower can’t afford to let it appear. 
E. T. R. 
B. *B. 
OFFERING OF 
FINE, RICH SILKS 
that you’ll not only save 25c a yard on 
—but find the silks so beautiful that 
you’d be willing to pay full value for, 
were it asked, in order to get them. 
Fancy Taffetas in an assortment of 
choice, rich colors, 
75c yard 
—never intended to sell for less than 
a dollar — neat pointille blocks in a 
quiet-toned diamond pattern formed by 
the diagonal crossing of self-color 
stripes. 
Superb quality. 
Colors are navy and red, navy 
and green, navy and gold, green and 
gold, purple and gold, cerise and gold¬ 
en brown, green anjd green—each with 
an undertone of black. 
Get samples and let the silks at the 
prices show what a chance this is—and 
you’ll be pleased—and find value that 
will even surpass your expectations. 
Other lots choice silks under price 
35c, 50c, 65c yard. 
BOGGS & BUHL, 
Dept. C. Allegheny, Pa. 
Youraltcntlon, IHailnm ! 
You see hove a Couch and a Combination 
Bookcase. They are specimens Liken from 
our new 160-page Furniture Catalogue, which 
contains the most comprehensive collection 0 f 
goods to make home comfortable and home 
beautiful ever gotten together by mortal man. 
This Couch, 
dear lady, is 
6 feet 11 in¬ 
ches long. 2 
feet. Pinches 
wide, beauti¬ 
fully uphols¬ 
tered in iro- 
njii 'I ijb b o •• n t) uiyil'Y 
t)> ~ -- 
extends 
or Tenitoiy 
ported velour or corduroy, and we ee] lit for 
$:i!)5. If you can buy such a couch for I ess than 
§10, we don’t know our business. 
And this combination book¬ 
case and writing desk is made of 
quarter sawed oak or birch, fin¬ 
ished Mahogany, with beveled 
plate mirror, 12 inches x 10 in¬ 
ches, 66 inches high and 37 in¬ 
ches wide, polished like a piano; 
and the price, $6.75. Areal $15 
article. 
You must remember our trade 
around the world. Not a State 
in this country but what lias received 
loads of our goods at. those prices which none 
can equal. If you inquire among your neigh¬ 
bors you will more than likely find someone 
who lias been delighted with theiV dealings 
with us. We refer to National Banks al over 
the country as to our reliability and fail deal¬ 
ing. We want you to have our I'urnituie Cat¬ 
alogue because It is a liberal educator in 
household necessities, and we want you to 
have our 10-colored Lithographed Carpet Cat¬ 
alogue, which shows designs and colors ns 
perfectly as though you had the carpet on the 
floor of your home. Both these catalogues 
are yours for the asking, and you willknow 
more about such things after reading it care- 
fully. ^<j,i reg8 (exactly as below) 
JULIUS HINES & SON, 
Dept. 320 Baltimore, Md. 
WOOD OVAL AIR-TIGHT HEATING STOVE 
.Spun Brass Urn. 
for burning wood, corn cobs, roots, 
chi ps, shavi ngs.etc. The most per¬ 
fect stove of its class, absolutely 
aair-tight; fire can be retained for 
* many hours. Every farmer has 
^.enough fuel going to waste to sup- 
cply one or more of these stoves 
; 'an entire season. Hods protected, 
?kbey cannot burnout; joints con- 
‘Tjstructed so as to avoid creosote 
2.deposits. Stove very handsomely 
'nickeled—suited for use in sitting 
grooms,parlorsand libraries. Ask 
2 .your nearest dealer forthls stove. 
' If he does not have it, write us 
for circulars. 
The March-Brownback Stove Co..Pottstown,Pa. 
MACKINTOSHES. 
Men’s all wool Tricot, $5.00 
Ladies’ cashmere two-cape, $4.00 
These waterproof garments would cost you $ 10.00 
each in any retail store. Send money order for 
sample, stating bust measure and length. Agents 
wanted everywhere. Address, 
M. F. REESF, SUPPLY CO., Setauket, N.Y. 
A FAMILY KNITTER for $5. 
5,0(10 stitches per minute. Knits hosiery com¬ 
plete from homespun or factory woolen or 
cotton yarns. Our free Circular with 
samples of work explains everything. This 
machine sold direct. Address, 
Perfection Knitting Machine Co., Clearfield, Pa, 
—Ladies and gentlemen to pro¬ 
cure subscriptions for the best 
tifty-cent woman’s monthly magazine in the United 
States. The most beautiful and popular woman’s mag¬ 
azine on very liberal commissions. Terms, sample 
copies, special helps and premiums furnished free. 
Address The American Queen, 78-80 Walker St.. N.Y. 
A practical market gardener, to take 
VVCinitoll my place on shares or rent. A well- 
established business, within four miles of the city 
of Hartford. Everything in running order. Write or 
call for particulars. PAUL THOMSON. 
West Hartford. Market Gardens, Conn. 
FRUIT 
EVAPORATOR “The Granger.” F “£r u ’ 
Strong—Durable. Can be applied to any stove or range. 
Cheapest In the market—S3, S5 and 88. 
Send for free circular. 
EASTERN MANUFACTURING CO., 257 S. Fifth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
$50 Sewing Machine for $19.50. 
WITH ONE YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO TIIE R. N.-Y., $20. 
We should be sorry if any reader of The R. N.-Y. in any part of the country 
should pay $40 or $50, or even $25 or $30 for a sewing machine. We would be sorry 
because we can send him just as good a machine as is made for $19.50. The finish 
and appearance and attachments are in 
every way equal to the best machines 
made. We will send it ON TRIAL, freight 
paid, and you may return it at our ex¬ 
pense, if you are not satisfied; you shall 
be the judge yourself. We shall sell them 
at this price only to subscribers. We have 
sold thousands of these machines to sub- 
with The R. N.-Y. have them ; that is why 
we can praise them so highly. 
For $19.50, we will send the machine to 
any subscriber, freight paid to any address 
east of the Rocky Mountains. For $20, we 
include a year’s subscription. After a fair 
trial, we will return the money and pay 
freight both ways, if you are not satisfied. 
We w ill s 2 nd it for a club of 10 subscriptions at $1 each, and $15 extra. 
scribers, and we have never had one re¬ 
turned. Several families in connection 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, New York. 
