ing and deserved popularity.

_Phoenix Roebelenii_ is one of the newest. It is destined, I venture
to say, to become the most popular of all palms for the house. It has
frequently been described as having "the beauty of _Weddelliana_ and the
hardiness of _Kentia_." That perhaps describes it, but does not do it
full justice. It has several times the amount of foliage that _Cocos
Weddelliana_ has, and is a more robust grower. It has, unlike that
palm, leaf stalks growing all the way to the bottom, the lower ones
gracefully recurved and the upper ones spreading airily. It is very
easily cared for, and on the whole wins on a larger number of counts
than any other house palm.

_Phoenix Rupicola_ has gracefully arching, drooping foliage and is very
handsome, the dark green leaves being even more feather-like than those
of _Cocus Weddelliana_. It is also one of the hardiest.

_Areca Verschaffeltii_ is unique in having a creamy colored mid-rib. It
must be given the best of care, but will well repay any extra pains
taken with it.

The _Kentias_, _K. Belmoreana_, the Thatch-leaf palm, and _K.
Forsteriana_, the Curly palm, are the hardiest of all the house palms
and sure to give satisfaction. The former is of dwarf, sturdy habit,
with broadly divided, dark green leaves borne up well on stiff stems.
_K. Forsteriana_ is of stronger growth, spreads more, and the divisions
of the leaf are broader.

_Cocos Weddelliana_ is the most artistically graceful of the house
palms. The finely cut, feathery leaves spring well up from the pot and
from the slender erect stem. It is a small palm, and grows slowly. I
think I should give it a place among the three choicest palms for the
house, although, unfortunately, it is not as hardy as some of the
others. It is the best palm to use as a center for fern dishes.

_Seaforthia elegans_, the Australian Feather palm, is a tall growing
and stately variety, which does well in the house.

_Caryota urens_ is commonly known as the Fishtail palm, and on account
of that distinguishing characteristic deserves a place in any good
collection. It is a large growing sort and will utilize more root room
than most of the others. It is not so strong as most of the others
described, but will succeed well if precautions are taken not to let it
get chilled in cold weather.

CHAPTER XIV

CACTI

Personally I am not an enthusiast over cacti. While a cactus in bloom is
a marvelous sight, so gorgeous in f