The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-01-11
Extracts from the Report Of the
Trinidad Botanic Gardens.
(Co,atia5ued.)

In a state of nature large mum
ber OF Palms bayestheir stem bases
and consequently all their surface,
roots, which are the most active, more
or less covered with and protected |
against the sun aud draught by thick
els formed Of OTTER plants growing
around: that is to say, such protec'
ton is necessary to their proper state
of health if not existence. This is
specially the case with some of the
Palms here, and which seriously sut-
fer by tidier state of the grounds
in the dry months. The necessity
has now arisen tor growing suitable
plants around the bases Of such
palms, that while afording protection
will be ornamental
Epiphylal growlhs, Of Ferns espe-
cially, have been very abundant dur
ing the last few years on the palm
stems, and in view Of furnishing gener
al protection at their lower part such
growths were permitted. 1t was soon
found however that the tern growths,
Phlebodium, greatly promoted the
growths OF the ever active enemy
fungus, or dry rot, and threatened
extensive mischief
In onef case occasio ed By the
I gro yral oE EE,s3 y ~. ~ saaEIal
I Wide. and d,ueaa5a, Lsnn. a fine
Date Palm stem OF 5 II. high was
broken short off by a sudden extra
gust Of wind. On examination it
was found that the whole of the vas
cular tissue OF the stem toa depth of
four inches all around had been oc>
cupied and consumed by species of
fungus, and only central column of
three inches diameter of mostly cell
lular tissue had been left living. No
sign OF decay had shown itself in
the leaves at the time the palm was
blown over; but this considering the
endogenous character Of the stem is
uot surprising. This evidence Of the
small amount OF aid afforded the
plant by the outer and larger mass OF
stem tissue-save as mechanical
support, will however be interestin g
to plant Psychologists and instructive
20 horticulturlsts.
Ban6usa gigaotea bas also out
grown its allotted space, and now
appears-in IL years-to have reach
ed its tull diameter OF stem, under
the clrcumstances,-the conditions OF
the locality not being favorable from
the excessive drought, and heat, in
the 0rY season, and excessive wet in
the aoet season-this latter condition
preventing many Of the young
growths thrown up in July, ever
arriving at maturity.
Although this bamboo has done
well at the Gardens the heat and
moisture are evidently too great for
it, and although gigantic bamboo it
is not to be recommended as fuel
material in any way superior to the
ordinary bamboo in the Island, either
tor lis rate of growth or weight OF
stem. But as a material for house.
hold utensils, and neat or ornamental
furniture and fancy work its wood is
pre- eminently adapted. The texture
OF the wood is exquisite; admitting
OF being split to tilaments OF hairs
like fneness from JOINT to joint. This
character suggested to me that MAJ
terial for brushes OF all sorts might
be obtained from bamboos OF varlor
kinds, by the aid OF suitable ~
chinery tor its reduction into fibr = .lA~ :
different degrees of thicknes % =
supply OF material would, .',o,,o, ~
have to be got from the E 40 -o%Jn" WI a.
the price OF labor and ,tSsr 'SS condi ~
tiOna arn infiniAn AnIr, .,nnr OVnOI COuuI