The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-15
EMBALMED PALMS.
Wonderfully Artistic Effects Are
Obtained by Using Nice Clean Inn
itatiOns of Oriental Foliage Plants

Many years ago the tropical palm in
all its varieties made its appearance in
this country. The first one was used at
magnificent ball given by the English
minister of the legation at Washington.
This, of course. was the real live plant,
one of the Latania variety. and was
counted among the splendors of the oc-
caSion.
A method has been recently devised
for preserving this beautiful green; a
secret process by which these plants are
rendered imperishable, and yet retain all
article that it is impossible to detect
them from living growths, and they are
absolutely impervious to heat cold, gas,
sunlight or any climatic influences.
These embalmed palms are now in
great demand for the adornment of
homes museums libraries and all public
buildings and enter into the decorations
for wedding festivities balls, funerals,
in fact wherever masses of green are
desired.
AS a corner ornamentation these plants
may be used On a series of shelves Of
wood, either pine or walnut, held up by
iron brackets, and when cleverly grouped
together form an extremely decorative
bit. For this the smaller varieties are
generally employed, such as the Fan and
Cyperus, really known as the Umbrella
plant, with the Papyrus, an old Egyptian
palm used in the manufacture of paper
ages ago.
In some country houses where the
halls form summer sittingroom or
winter smoking den, palms can be used
with splendid effect, especially for the
mantel shelf. For this decorative de-
sign the smaller artificial plants do ex
cellent duty. and if the ornamentat:on
desired IS that the entire shelf be zen
delightful combination. But if ends and
center pieces are preferred, the Areca or
curl Palm, if nos too large, is exquisitely
beautiful, and with this, palm placed
rRr~ 1.oa h
Among these embalmed plants, the
Cyas, or Sage palm is an impressive bit
of foliage. 1t is very long, narrow.
dropping leaf. from one and a half to
may be bought separately, and are Won
derfully sympathetic in form and char
acter. As dressing fer windows the
Date palm is very attractive, but all the
Oriental beauties when used for sill
decoration, require to be planted in pots
of an ornamental character, gorgeous in
tintS, like that of the Tokinarbi, or
japanese ware.
For jardinieres, vases, flower-stands,
or hanging baskets the palm known as
the Fountain will do excellent duty. 1t is
a dropping plant, graceful and hardy,
suitable for all sorts Of decorative ar
engagements. There are palms in this i'm
perishable state whose standards meas
ure from four and a half to eight feet.
Among these are the Globe Dracena, two
or three kinds of the Latina variety, the
Phoenix and Sabal.
For background for pedestals, in
which statues or busts are the orna-
mental plan, the leaves of the date palm
are admirable; the Sage palm combined
with the Latina variety also serves well
for that purpose.
AS a purely ornamental table decora-
ton, the charming Livistonia is remark
ably fine. This leaf IS similar to the
dried palm, is a splendid tone of green,
and deliciously clean in appearance. For
a choice center ornamentadon. a mound
of blossoms and flowers can be used with
trailing vines.
The only care that these preserved
beauties require is that the dust should
be carefully removed from them with
d feather brush or soft flannel. Tepid
water and a sponge may also be used
sparingly to remove extra soil.
MRS. OLIVER BELL BUNCE.