The record-union., 1894-11-24

Something About the Date Palms of
Foreign Countrfes-How to
Grow Them.
Written for the RECoRD-UNIoN by. w. A
Sanderg]

Written for. the REcoRD-UNIoN by w. A.
Sanders
There are over dozen species of these
palms, all included in the genus Phoenix,
and all natives of the main land or ada
cent islands of Africa and southern Asia,
extending as far east as Hongkong. They
are easily distinguished by their pinnate
leaves, and the botanist finds another dis
tinguishing characteristic in each blossom
having three distinct ovaries. The flower
spikes grow out from amongst the leaves
and bear flowers of one sex only; the
male and the female blossoms being pro-
duced OF different trees.
Ph0eniE DGctytJerd-Is the species most
largely cultivated, and produces most of
the dates found in our markets. The
trees grow from sixty to eighty feet in
hight and are long lived, continuing to
produce yearly crops of fruit for CEN
turtles. The Arabs recognize many vari-
cites of this species, differing not only in
time OF ripeDing, size, yield and color OF
1ru1t, but also In adaptabiliLy to flourish
under contrasting conditions OF heat,
drought, cold and moisture. Every part
OF the tree Is made use of; poor people
make huts of the leaves; the fiber of the
stems makes rope and coarse CLOTH the
stalks make crates, baskets, brooms,
Walklng-StlckS, ETC., while the trunks
make substantial buildings; the heart of
the young leaves is eaten as cabbage; the
sap affords an Intoxicating beverage, or
before fermentation is boiled into palm
sugar.
BitOeniE CONFERENCE.-The species, as
its name implies, is native of the Ca
nary Islands. Reasoner Bros, nursery
men of Oneco, Fla, say of it that, this
1tal I'm a
1ruit in Florida
Pt0e9liC h'0rlelfeTG = Is a native of
Southern China. 1T endures the winters of
Southern France never frostless) with
out protection. It's fruit is of shining
black; pulp mealy, and sweet. Sage is
obtained from the stems in the same
manner as from the sage palm (SagHS
LGeUfS), whence its name, Jdri3e2ferd.
Ph0eRiC LeORenSiS-Is largely grown in
Europe as an ornamental. 1t is remark
able for It's upright, vigorous and rapid
growth.
early bearer. 1t requires rich soil. 1t
Is less hardy to stand frost than L. duc-
tytyerd, or The following:
RhCgniT ,SyiUeStriS-A native of Bengal.
and commonly called the wild date'' of
that country. 1t produces large crops of
red or yellow berries. But it is more
useful from its yield of sap, from which
palm sugar is made-each tree yielding
from eight to twelve pounds of sugar an
nually, and continuing to yield from fifty
TO one hundred years. Over $4,000 tons
OF this sugar has been produced in Ben
gal alone in a single year. This is hardy
10 endure cold-growlnga along the mount
ain sides OF its native home to an alti-
tude OF considerable frosts.
Pt0nir RUp}cOId = From the lower
Hlmalayas, Is fine ornamental species,
butt is very tender, with nothing of com
fol oil 70 Il l. r.
acaulescent habit; that is, it's whorl of
leaves spreads right az the ground, there
being little or no trunk to the tree.
Pt031tic Reciinatd-Is native of Zulu
land; very hardy, and an enormous
bearer Of edible fruit. Its name gives an
idea of its habit of notwithstanding to-
ward the earth.
Picnic IenuiS-When small is delicate
and of fine color, and is advertised as a
magnificent decorative plant" 1t is
quite hardy TO stand frost, but of its COM
merclal value am unable to learn.
Ph0eRlc ZeytGHicd-1s the hardest of
all the date palms to endure frosts. Ii is
dwarf of dropping habit, useful only as
an ornamental.
In their native countries, where these
trees are so valuable, they never depend
upon seedlings. but always propagate by
means OF stolons or suckers from the base
OF the parent trees. Stolons from heavy
bearing female trees always produce
heavy frulting females; while trees from
stolons OF male trees always produce
only male or pollen bearing flowers.
From a personal inspection of date
growing on the shores of the Mediterra-
mean, l am sure that in time parts of the
San Joaquin Valley will make success
OF the same industry, but success can
come only in the same way it does in
date-growing countries-propagate only
by means of stolons from such trees as we
wish to produce.
ReedIey. Cal