REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 141 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Vitis inconstans (Ampelopsis Veitchii) — Japanese Ivy. — The Japanese ivy 

 is not thoroughly satisfactory in Ontario and Quebec, as it kills back 

 more or less every year, and sometimes is killed out altogether. In the warmer 

 parts of these provinces, however, it may be grown with fair success. It is a beautiful 

 vine and clings so tightly to the wall on which it is trained that it is unsurpassed in 

 this regard. The leaves also are of an attractive green colour in summer, and at 

 times are highly coloured in autumn. When grown, a north or west side of a building 

 is the best site. Many make the mistake of putting it on the south side. While 

 this cannot always be avoided, a place where it is not much exposed to th) su:i i-j 

 better. It appears to be the thawing and freezing of the vine in early spring which 

 often has such an injurious effect upon it. This injury is not as great on a north or 

 west exposure. For the first year or two this vine should be protected in winter until 

 it gets well established. Something which will not readily absorb the heat should be 

 chosen for this purpose. Straw is a very good material to use, if held in place by 

 something else. 



Vitis quinquefolia (Ampelopsis quinquefolia) — Virginian Creeper. — This fine 

 climber has several points of merit which commend it to those who desire a hardy, grace- 

 ful, attractive vine. It is a rapid grower, and being a native of Ontario and Quebec, is 

 perfecfdy hardy. Its glossy, green leaves become very brilliant in autumn, when they 

 assume many shades of red. Although it has tendrils by which it clings if there are 

 crevices into which they can be inserted, it will not cling to a wall where there are 

 not such places, and has to be supported in some other way. It is very desirable for 

 training over summer houses, fences, verandahs, and even on walls, where it falls in 

 graceful festoons and becomes very attractive. Unfortunately, it is much subject to 

 thrip, and Avhile there is a remedy in whale oil soap, tobacco water, and kerosene 

 emulsion, they have to be applied very persistently. Where there is a good circulation 

 of air or where the vines are often moved by the wind, the thrip is not so troublesome. 



Vitis quinquefolia hirsuta — Self-fastening Virginian Creeper. — The advantage ■; of 

 this vine over the ordinary Virginian Creeper are so great, in certain respects, that it 

 should be grown in preference to the latter if a vine is desired for covering a wall. 

 This variety has smaller leaves than the ordinary species, and while those of the latter 

 are quite smooth and shiny, those of the former are downy on both sides. The ten- 

 drils of hirsuta are short and furnished with large discs, by means of which this vine 

 clings to a brick or stone wall almost as tenaciously as the Japanese Ivy. It is much 

 neater looking than the ordinary form, and needs practically no attention as regards 

 training. The leaves colour about as highly at Ottawa as the common Virginian 

 Creeper. This variety may be found growing wild in the woods in the vicinity of 

 Ottawa, and has also been noticed in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. 



Vitis riparia — Riverside or Sweet-scented Grape. — The grape vine makes a highly 

 ornamental climber, as it is a rapid grower and very graceful. This native species 

 has the great advantage of being perfectly hardy and of having very highly perfumed 

 blossoms. The male and female flowers of this species are borne on different vines, 

 and if the delicious perfume is to be had one with male flowers must be planted. Ono 

 drawback to the wild grape being used as a climber near the house is that it is subject 

 to the attacks of thrips, which disfigure the leaves very much. In exposed places, 

 however, where there is a good circulation of air, they will not be so troublesome. 



The Wistarias and Actinidias are also good climbing shrubs where they can be 

 grown successfully. The former have bloomed at Ottawa, but they are not very 

 satisfactory, except in the mildest parts of the province of Ontario. 



ANN^UAL CLIMBERS. 



In addition to the shrubby and perennial climbers in the foregoing list, there are 

 some fine annuals which may be used with good effect, of which the sweet pea and 

 nasturtium furnish an abundant supply of lovely flowers for cutting for many weeks 



