Native Foliage Plants and Vines. 21 



secured before winter, for if "winter bloom is desired, it must be 

 expected on early fall growth of vine. The flowers are not showy, 

 but are delightfully fragrant, and the red berries which succeed 

 them, contrasting with the bright green leaves, are quite at- 

 tractive. 



With these, as with many other plants, the change to indooi 

 life is very trying, and too often the frequent and sudden changes 

 are accepted as winter by them and they rest. During winter, do 

 not crowd with other plants; and give plenty of air when it can 

 be done without suddenly lowering the temperature. Avoid too 

 much heat and dry air. Do not let them freeze, but they will 

 almost bear it. Excessive heat and dryness they cannot endure. 

 If, from any cause, the plants turn yellow after having made a 

 thrifty growth, do not fear that they will die. Let them rest in the 

 cellar a few weeks, then repot the bunches of tubers in pots small 

 enough, after removing the useless roots, and wait patiently. 

 Their spring-time will come when the new growth of roots has 

 prepared them for it. If the tubers are separated from the plant, 

 it will be sacrificed, but many of them will grow about as strong 

 as seedling plants. 



The value of dried ferns as greens was spoken of. Many per- 

 sons are mistaken in supposing that ferns for drying should 

 not be gathered before the close of summer. Many species have 

 completed their growth and begin to pass away by midsummer. 

 Notably such are the Phegopteris or Beech ferns, Moonwort ferns, 

 a few of the Shield ferns and Cystopteris. Only matured fronds 

 should be selected. Those which are immature and succulent 

 must be rejected, no matter how delicate and graceful they may 

 appear, for they will discolor in drying. The collection of the 

 evergreen ferns, Polypody, Walking fern, Asplenium tri<;homanes, 

 Aspidium spinulosum, Aspidium marginale, and Aspidium acros- 

 tichoides, may, if desirable, be left until late in the season. A 

 close fitting box may be used to kepp them from wilting. Where 

 appearances were immaterial, I have found a common wash-boiler 

 with a close fitting cover convenient to hold wild flowers and 

 ferns, which sometimes must be moved many miles, while collect- 

 ing a variety. 



