The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-05-14
THE ApvEETIsER co.


The following hints on the growing of
palms is contributed by clever Mont
gomery woman who Is experienced In
garde
Palms are mostly native of tropical eli
mates, being found almost everywhere
within the tropics and forming perhaps
the most striking characteristics OF crop
ical vegetation America particularly
abounds with them and produces tue
greater variety of spe lies. The cultivation
pense and no trouble has been spared
of late years. The demand for these ele-
CANT species of the vegetable Kingdom
has greatly increased. Palms are the
most valuable and striking plants that
can be used for decorative purposes. both
in the house, conservatory. churches and
for public occasions.
For the culture of palms make the SOIL
very rich, but not too heavily enriched.
The drainage must be perfect~> Do not
attempt to grow small plants In large
pots. Always plant in such sizes tnat tne
roots will have lienty ow sou without
turning sour. Palms In the house require
some sunlight, avoiding the heat OF the
noon rays. They will exist for years with
little hight but they will not grow, nor
Will they be healthy.
In summer palms will appreciate plung
ing the parts In the ground up to the top
of the jar in a semi-moist situation. The
palm has great rival for outdoor cul-
tivation in the American Yucca. They
are cultivated mostly for their singular
and splendid tropical appearance. Yucca
Gloriosa is a species mostly in cultlva-
ton for lawns, growing hardy in virginia
and the Southern States, also In England.
The stem is about two to three feet In
eight, the upper part of which produces
large tuft of leaves. all crown. the
leaves are evergreen, narrow and sword
shaped, having at the termination OF each
| leaf a sharp spine. From this crown OF
| leaves arises flower stalk of three feet
| or upward in height. branching out on
| every side so as to form a grand panicle.
| The flowers are bell shaped, drooplng ana
| of waxy whiteness. In my yard | have
| fine specimen of unusual beauty. the
| stem being crowned with four TUFTS or
leaves surmounted by four flower stalks
| three feet in height. About 100 lovely
snowy bells watt to each passing breeze
| their lily like fragrance. The bees holding
| high carnival in slipping from chaltce MT
for the Queen of the Fairies and all her
| court. M. X. e.
Montgomery, May IL.
History and Mythology of Flowers.
June is the month of brides. All over
| the world flowers have been associated
i with betrothal and bridal ceremonies, va
l riotis kinds of flowers having become pop
ular in different countries because of GER
| tain associations which have made them
| appropriate to the occasion. Before the
| wedding bells could peal the bridegroom
had to be located, and this was accom-
| plished bv a judicious use of several kinds
| of plants.
To dream of a red rose or four leaved
clover Is 4 sure harbinger of matrimony.
| The rose was the favorite flower Of We
nus goddess of love. and has been used
for love charms in all countries. The
| four leayed clover is considered a mystic
plant. and has generally been employed
throughout Europe for purposes of divi-
nation. AS the clover is allied to the
Irish shamrock, an additional odor OF
i sanctity has been added to 1t. for the rea-
Y son that the three leaves of the shamrock
Il typify the holy trinity, and 1t must not
| he forgotten that all marriages are made
4 in heaven. Yarrow or milfeil, now just
coming into flower. may be used to adj
vantage. The blossoms Of the apple haw
thorn thistle and daisy are also credited
with the power of doing great execution
in Cupid's lists.
In our own country and England the
bridal wreath Is generally composed OF
orange blossoms and maiden hair fern
Both forms have their history. in add
ton to their decorative effect. Among
the Saracens the orange blossom Is re-
garded as symbol of n prosperous mar
riage the bride being decorated with the
flowers and the fruit entering largely Int,
the wedding feast. This idea comes from
the fact that throughout the East the
orange trees have both flowers and fruit
upon them at the same time and hence
are regarded as an emblem OF great pro
ductiveness. A similar notion Is attachec