418 ijTATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Many species may be grown as room plants until they become too large for that 

 purpose, after which they can bo ]ihinted outside during tlie summer, for many 

 species do not dcvelopc their full beauty until of a tolerably large size. When 

 grown in rooms, the foliage sliould be frequently brushed to remove dust. 



James Taplin. 



THE IVY, 



Why is it that every one is pleased with the common ivy? There is a charm 

 about that plant which all feel, but none can tell why. Observe it hanging 

 from the arch of some old bridge, and consider the degree of interest it gives to 

 that object. The bridge itself may be beautifully situated ; the stream passing 

 through its arches clear and copious ; but still it is the ivy which gives the finish 

 and picturesque effect. Mouldering towers and castles, and ruined cloisters, 

 interest our feelings in a degree more or less by the circumstances of their being 

 covered or not, by the ivy. Precipices, which else would exhibit only their 

 naked, barren walls, are clothed by it in a rich and beautiful vesture. Old 

 trees, whose trunks it surrounds, assume a great variety of aspect; and, indeed, 

 it is a most important agent in forming the beauty and variety of rural laud- 

 scape. And it is as useful as it is beautiful ; tlie ivy is of vast advantage to the 

 smaller birds, as it affords them shelter in winter, and a retreat for building 

 their nests in spring and summer. It is in fructification in October and 

 November, and the sweet juice which its flowers exude, supports an infinity of 

 insects in autumn, while its berries are a store of nutriment for nuiny birds in 

 early spring. 



CLEMATIS JACKMANII. 



This species of Clematis affords an other instance of the fact that enthusi- 

 asm of plant lovers for new and more perfect forms may at times become 

 excessive, and the enthusiast find himself returning with a renewed fondness 

 to older varieties, possessing certain qualities tliat cannot but please, in spite of 

 their apparent want of novelty. Tiie skill and enterprise exerted of late years 

 in hybridizing and otherwise obtaining new varieties of Clematis, deserve all 

 praise, and have resulted in adding a large collection of most beautiful climb- 

 ers wherewith to decorate our porches, or to afford an Cfpial delight when trained 

 on stakes to assume the appearance of shrubs or " pillars" of flowers. 



But after admiring all the improved varieties, we are still able to come back 

 to Clematis Jackmanii, with mucli of the feeling we have for a friend of tried 

 character. There are l)etter varieties of Clematis as regards showiness of flower, 

 but hardly any which present a higher general capacity for ornamentation. It 

 is vigorous, hardly any more so, for the refining process of improvement by 

 hybridizing is not apt, according to present methods, to strengthen the consti- 

 tution, or increase vigor. The healthy luxuriant foliage of Clematis Jack- 

 manii is of a fine dark green, that renders it an attractive climber independent 

 of the flowers. 



The flower itself is of good size, altliough by no means as large as many later 

 varieties; but its color is most charniing. With a general hue and texture of 



