Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-02-13
cultixatinx Palms and Ferns.


of the matter, even If che purchases
others and the ultimate results are the
same, until at last, probably Disguised,
she comes to the conclusion that such
exotics are only for the conservatory
and those skilled and experienced IN
Horticultural lore.
This, however, is erroneous, a. have
seen in extremely modest homes, where
the housewives many duties precluded
any but the most ordinary care, beauti-
full specimens of the stately Aspidistra,
the Kentias and the Boston or sword
fern that would be an ornament to the
most elaborate establishment.
Care must, however, be exercised In
the selection of the plants as we'll as In
their culture. Certain delicate varieties,
like the Cocos and Sicorthia (which be-
long to the palm family, are extremely
difficult for home cultivation, and should
be let severely alone by the amateur
grower, who wisely confines herself to
steadier although humber plants, which
cost just about half and will give far bet
ter satisfaction than the costly varieties
she admires In her visit to the green
house, where under ideal conditions
they seem to flourish, but when removed
to the ordinary home, they soon lose
their beauty and only linger on at "a
poor dying rate"
Palms are universally first choice with
the majority Of people for decorative
purposes in the home, and rightly so;
and should recommend as strong con-
stitution sorts: Belmoreana and Foster
lana, Phoenix reclinata, Kentias and
Cham@rops humilis; all of which will
apparently flourish even If neglected and
abused.
Purchase, If possible, medium-sized
palms of not more than six or seven
leaves, examining them carefully before
paying for them, to see If the foliage il
in good condition, that the roots are moi
pot-bound and that there are absolutely
no signs of insect pests. 1t Is also an
excellent plan to have them rep0tted In
your presence, and to insist that in the
bottom of each pot is placed two inches
of broken pottery to assist the drainage
and that the pots be filed with rich loan
to which is added a teaspoonful of bone
meal to each seven or eight inches OF
soil.
Upon their arrival from the greenhouse
do not make the fatal mistake of bring
| ing the plants Immediately into a dry
overheated atmosphere, which will I'M
doubtedly be attended with dire conse
quences; but rather place them in 6
room about sixty-two or sixty-three de
grees, if heated by hot-air furnace, al
though higher temperature may be al
lowed if steam heat is employed. Al
this stage of their culture frequent
Turkish baths" are extremely benefi
cial, answering the double purpose o.
stimulating their growth as we'll as keep
/ ing them scrupulously clean and healthy
while they are becoming acclimated tt
| their new surroundings.
When assured that the palms are be
ginning to thrive, little more license II
allowable, and they may be safely re
moved to the living-room or dining-room
Place them if possible near the light ant
yet not directly in the suns rays and &c
arrange them that they are not over
crowded, but have ventilation on al
sides. Water them frequently enough
to keep the soil moist but not wet
shower them all over with tepid water a
least once q week.
Stir the soil with blunt trowel if il
becomes caked and hard, so that tn,
water may filter through easily, ant
watch the plant to see that the roots d,
not force the palm too far out of the pot
If this occurs, the plant should be i'm
mediately placed in q larger pot or tub
according to the size of the specimen
the base being firmly embedded in tn
soil.
Probably the most frequent cause o
blight and disease is the scourge o
insect pests, which must be CAREFUL.
watched for and guarded against, as II
dealing with these troublesome mites al
ounce of prevention is worth pound o
cure, and with due attention they shoult
never make their appearance at all.
Personally I have found as pre-
Icautionary measure nothing superior II
semi-monthly dip-baths in flr-tree-oi
soap infusion. This is made by boiling
in four quarts Of water eight ounces o
the soap until entirely dissolved; or, |
preferred, the leaves and stems may b,
gone over with soft sponge dipped II
the infusion, washing them thorough.
and we'll.
The delicate beauty of the differen
varieties of ferns commends them all +,
lovers of the beautiful, from the delicate
and fragile maidenhair to the sturdie
sword or Boston fern, that with it
gracefully dropping fronds artistically
falling in every direction, is decided at
traction to any drawing-room.
Il xnfn ID
preferably bay, where the plant viii
secure plenty of good strong light, Blu
very little If any sun, as delicate speci
mems If exposed to the SUMS strong ray
will wilt and wither in an incredible.
short space of time. Care, however
must be exercised that the ferns are no
set too close to the glass, or on YER!
cold day they may suffer from frost
blight, even if the rest Of the room is o
the prescribed temperature. During ex
treme weather, especially at night,
have found it an excellent plan to cove
the inside of the window with severa
thicknesses of newspaper, which effect
ually protects them from the OUTSIDE
cold.
Undoubtedly the most enjoyable va!
to raise ferns is to buy small, health!
plants from a reliable florist. Thes'
may be purchased as low as ten and fit
teen cents pot, and as they are very
rapid growers will soon develop with ,
little care and attention into extremel!
handsome plants. They need, however
| in order to be grown to perfection, fire.
quent reporting and an occasiona
II a. IN khair uf n
which is apt to be retarded when the!
are exposed to artificial environment.
| It is most essential In preparing the
soil in which ferns are to grow, to selec
one that, while light, is capable of beinl
made quite firm. Rich, woodsy loan II
ideal for the purpose. Ferns cannot en-
dure a sour soil or one that will allow
the water given the plants to become
stagnant. A perfect drainage mus
therefore be secured, which Is best &C
complished by few pieces OF broker
crock placed in the bottom of the pan Of
pot. Cocoanut refuse mixed with 0rdi
nary loan forms splendid substitute FOL
the soil to which most ferns are &C
customed.
In the sword fern we have certainly
one of the most decorative of plants
and the amateur should congratulate
herself that it Is within her power t.
grow something 30 exceptionally fine,
The Boston fern has fronds wider and
longer than those of the old sword fern
and is most snowy plant. 1t succeeds
with exactly the same culture as thu
older variety, the only danger to guard
against being attacks of mealy-bugs and
scale, which sometimes make their ap
pearance on healthy-looking specimens
These must be fought with strong sud.
~ co.tiIa soan Snnlied With q aofi