Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-10-18
Palms.

Palms are now very fashionable i'm Europe
a. decorative plants both for the conserva.
tory and the dwelling house. Their use for
tnls purpose shows that the public taste is
improving and that people are learning 10 an
preciate beauty OF form more than beauty OF
color-a sure evidence that they are aiyanc-
ing TO a higher plane in aesthetics color
more affecting our sensuous faculties aud
beauty OF form addressing itself TO the intel
Iect we are therefore pleased TO find that
the same taste is beginning TO show itself
among us, as is evidenced In the fact that
some OF our florists find il TO their interest 10
get up stock of this class OF plants, and
measurably TO discard the cultivation OF
those which depend alone for public favor
upon their color without reference 10 their
beauty Of form.
The general impression that all palms re-
quire great heat as an essential in their cul-
tivation is a mistake. Many OF them come
nom the cool, mountainous sections of trop-
icai countries, and will thrive in a green
house or sitting room where the minimum
temperature is not below forty-five or fifty
degrees. Neither do they generally require a
very moist atmosphere, as many OF them
grow IN sandy, arid soils, exposed to the full
glare of the tropical sun and the dry arid
winds incidental TO such situations. a num-
Der are quite dwarf growing, and by no
means conform to the popular idea regarding
this class of trees, that they are very Iofty'
with smooth, tapering trunks. Some do not
exceed hve or six feet In height, and some
nave very spiny stems and leaf stalks.
Many palms are coming into use as house
plants and for table decoration. They thrive
IN the subdued light of a room, and are not
liable TO be injured by the overheated air of
pied with water, their thick coriaceous
leaves enabling them TO resist the Injurious
enects OF the dry air of our houses In winter.
The beautiful bright green of their foliage
and It's generally elegant form and habit rem
der them alway3 attractive. The absence of
odor also recommends them for table decora-
ton as many people dislike the combined
odor of flowers with that of the viands The
soil that suits them best is a mixture of
about two-thirds loan, one third peat, and a
little sand, IL the loan is not of a sandy ma
ture. They do not require any manure in the
SOIL, but only occasionally a supply OF dilu-
ted liquid cow manure. Good drainage and
in repotting care must be had not TO injure
tnelr generally stout and feshy roots.
Ihey are somewhat more costly than other
plants 10 purchase, but tue buyer hes the sat
lsfactlon OF knowing that as they Increase in
size they also increase in value, for, like ca
melias, ferns, orchids, and some other plants
large specimens are readily salable at good
prices. To those WHO would like to begin
their cultivation we would recommend either
or all OF the following six species:
Ldt0rlid BOrtonico The foliage ofthis spe-
cles is very large, plated, and fan sha ped. Ii
is OF very robust growth.
SedfoTthid ElecU1s.-This is peculiarly ele-
CANT and graceful in its habit; the leaves or
fronds are pinnate and of large size. Ii will
Withstand low temperature without in
jury.
Rerfid Australis-Has elegant deep green
pinnated leaves, and is of a very graceful
habit.
Phe1ir Reclinata.-This belongs TO the FAM
lily of date palms. II has plume-like grace
fully curved, soft, glaucous green foliage.
Chdna6rops EIcelsd.-This is a very hardy
palm, standing out-of doors In the south OF
France. The foliage is plated and fan-like
Jebed Spectabilis-This is the Coquito palm
OF Chilli, and when full grown is remar able
for the curious enlargement of its STEM
which swells out with a graceful curve mid
way between the root and the top. In its ma
tive country the leaves are from six TO twelve
feet long. and the pinnee, or leaflets, from
twelve TO eighteen inches in length. 1t is very
hardy, standing out all winter In the SOUTH
ern part ofEngland.-Hmper's Bdzdr.