The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-05-08
The Care of Palms.

a very successful amateur gardener
gives the following advice on the care
of palms: Well grown palms are, of
course. more or less expensive, depend
ing in some degree ON the variety;
economy sometimes compels the pur-
chase of smaller plants than we could
wish for. But larger plant at high
er price pays in the long run, no mat
ter how cheaply small palms may be
had. Palms at their best are slow
growers. and it takes years to grow
fine specimen plants. For the same
reason it would prove a useless waste
of time for an amateur. even with
greenhouse facilities, to try to raise
them from seed.
Always buy as large a plant as you
possibly can. If not in a pot when re-
ceived put 1t up at once as follows:
Select a pot large enough to comfort
ably contain the ball of roots with a
| little space all around. AS the roots
of palms generally strike downward,
depth in pot is more desirable than
width. Scrub the pot clean, put in
| about an inch of drainage material,
and then an inch or so of soil. On this
set the ball of roots, just as received;
keep the plant In the centre; fill in q
handful of dirt, firm it around the ball
with the fingers or with a small stick,
and continue this until there is about
an inch of space from the top of the
soil to the rim of the pot. Do not set
the plant deeper than indicated by the
| plh arly h.. I'LL 1.
deeply IT. was planted before. Care
fully avoid the breaking or brIising
of any of the roots; should II occur.
cut away the injured part cleanly with
sharp knife.
good soil for palms Is composed OF
two parts of sandy soil and one part
of good, rich loan. Do not use leaf
mold Palms are impatient of fire.
quent repotting, and this can be de-
ferred by simply replacing the top soil
with fresh, rich dirt, without disturb
: ing the roots and by giving occasional
ly doses of liquid manure. A good sub.
stitute for this latter Is SCOT or the
! ashes from wood fire. Both of these
, must be used sparingly, for they are
apt to burn the plants If too freely ap-
piled. For a medium-slzed pot work
about two teaspoonfuls into the soil
, not oftener than twice a month.
Keep the plants In strong light. In
winter a sunny window. is the best
) place for them. Apply tepid water
) when watering becomes necessary. and
give enough to soak the whole ball OF
, soil. Shower or sponge the foliage
, with lukewarm water once a week OF
3 so, keep free from dust and watch fol
insects. See that no water Is allowed
5 to stand on the leaves where the sur
} is apt to strike 1t, as 1t may burn and
{ discolor them. Give fresh air on warn
/ days by slightly lowering a nearby
/ window or opening a door for a shor
@ time.
j. In the summer the pots may b'
). plunged to the rim In the garden. Sc
s lect place facing the east, so they
y will have only the morning sun, ant
s see that 1t is so sheltered that higl
c winds win not break the stalks or tea
the leaves. Putting a handful of Goa
l. ashes under the pot win prevent worm
from working up through the drainag,
/. hole. During this season frequen
watering win be necessary :, mucl
more so than in the wlnter.-New Yorl
}. Commercial Advertiser.