The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-03-23
THE SEASON OF PALMS.
LOCAL DEALERS PREPARING FOR
PALM SUNDAY.
Something About tho Beautiful Evergreens.
That Are in Most Favor-where They
Come From and what They Cost-An
Odd Specimen from Madagascar.

"Of course the near approach of Palm Sunday
has created a large demand for palms." said
Florist Small to a SUNDAY HERALD man,
"athough the greatest call is for the palmetto
that arrives here from the South Carolina
swamps in long green pieces, and are sold by the
head, as n market stall retails cabbages. The
palmetto requires that it shall be cut when very
green, as it dies within few days after cutting,
should 1t be a little ripe very pleasing effect
for decorative purposes may be arranged with
the palmetto by carefully spreading it out,
pressing with warm iron and then with a hot
one. This will become neat and graceful or
nament to be placed at the corners of doors or
at an angle upon the wall"
'Are the demands for palms increasing 80
asked the reporter.
'Yes there is a considerable increase in the
use Of palms, and especially of this kind, which
is handsome and hardy plant that can be
placed in house and expected to thrive, even
though subjected to various temperatures. 1t is
called the Areca Lutencens, or yellow cabbage
palm. Notice how graceful the long, slender
stems are. The fine cut fall edges like hand
some fringe. Beautiful, isn't it. This is about
the most popular palm of all and the one most
in use for beautifying houses. They will sell
from IS to $50, according to size and appear
ance. l think if there is any fashion in palms
this one leads it, Here are several varieties of
the Kentia or Howra palm; they are very SINH
lar to this other have just shown you, except
ing they more plume-like, the spke-like
leaves having tendency to curl up at the ends.
These palms grown in most tropical
countries, and can be successfully raised in the
lighthouses of our own. It, however, is not as
hardy as the Arecd LutencenS.n
ttVbat is mama Of this m slyad tho
reporter, as his eye caught sight of small
palm, something like the others he had been
shown, excepting that its stems and leaves were
more delicate.
"That is the COc0s PiunloSG, q very fragile,
plume-lke palm that is not apt to live long with
out the greatest care. Still it is favorite with
lovers of palms on account of its rare beauty and
gracefulness. They are brought to this country
from the Indies and South America
The oddest-loolling palm imaginable next
claimed the reporters attention. 1t was tall
plant with thick stems shooting upward from its
base, with leaves of dark, ugly green The
leaves were large, and shot forth split portions
of themselves, giving them the appearance of i'm
mense hands. 'What is that ?'' he asked.
"This curious-looking plant' answered Mr..
Small, lis the Chinese rattan palm, from which
ratanware and furniture are made. 1t is creep
ing into favor mostly on account of its lud-
crous appearance, | suppose. See how the
leaves extend like large hands as if wishing to
salute the passer-by. These are expensive and
cost high as 500 for large and perfect
plant The average price paid for them is
about $25. Here is the old standby of all the
florists, and is always popular. 1t is the Lati-
ma B0rt0mcd or fan palm, that is extensively
grown throughout the Southern States and
tropics. They not very expensive, as
very nice one may be purchased for $40, or even
less. Then they live well in the house-almost
as we'll as the AreCd LutcncenS. Now, this palm
comes the greatest distance of any that are i'm
ported into this country. 1t comes from NADIA
gascar, where it grows in the dense swamps in
quantities. 1t is called the Ravendla Speciosa,
or travellers tree. The leaves are very thick,
stems coarse, and it is not much used as an
ornament on account ofthe thick leaves cracking
easily and splitting up into many pieces. This
in its home in the swamps is often godsend to
the traveller who has lost his way and is famish-
ing for water. Should he find one of these
palms all that is necessary for him to do is to,
puncture the plant at the base of each leaf, and
he will find that each puncture will give him
from quart to two quarts of pure, wholesome
water. Whileit is always -cassed with the palm
family, properly it is not one of them.
These cost about Sl5 apiece, taken ON an ave
rage.n
II see ferns in your hot-houses. Are they
used great deal now for decorations ?n
eyes, great deal, especially for table dec
orations. One OF the most recent fads consists
of lowering the centre of dining table about
six inches and filling the aperture with maiden
hair ferns. 1t gives a very neat effect The
call is mostly for the maidenhair, as they are
more easily kept in the houses than the other
varieties"
Styles in Stationery