726 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



The Virginia Creeper and Poison Ivy 



BERTHA BERBERT-HAMMOND 



THE \'irginia Creeper {Ampclopsis qiiiiiqiicfolia) or 

 American Ivy, is one of the most useful and rapid 

 growing hardy native vines. In a comparatively 

 short time its daise growth will beautify a porch, wall, 

 fence, tree stump or any other object. Though the vines 

 thrive in sunshine, they will also do well in a shady loca- 

 tion, and so are valuable for growing on the north side 

 of buildings. This reliable vine, which seems quite free 

 of pests is easy to propagate from seeds, cuttings or divi- 

 sions of the root. Young plants are readily transplanted 

 and established, and after the first Winter require no 

 protection. 



The Virginia Creeper bears small greenish-yellow 

 flowers which later develop into dark blue clusters of 

 berries. In the Autumn the foliage assumes a gorgeous 

 red coloring that is quite lasting, wonderfully attractive 

 and universally admired. Writing of this vivid, beautiful 

 autumnal transformation, Marion Howard says : 



The Garden wall is a burning pyre, 



And the vine once so green is crimson fire : 



Kingdom of emeralds, all has been pawned. 



For that vivid flame from Autumn's wand. 



Who was the broker? Where is the crown? 



Who sold the dye that colored the gown? 



Genii or Witch, appear and confess 



Why you crimsoned the green of the Ivy's dress. 



At this season of the year when city visitors delight in 

 •woodland rambles and in the gathering of the late way- 

 side flowers and attractive foliage, a word of caution in 

 regard to confusing the beautiful red foliage of tlie 

 Vu-ginia Creeper, or American Ivy. with that of the 

 •dreaded Poison Ivy (Rhus toxicodendron) which it some- 

 what resembles, may be of service. This seemingly 

 harmless vine, which is quite generally distributed over 

 the United States, and very common in sections where 

 there has been little efifort to keep it from spreading, 

 goes gayly gallanting over wall and fence, covering 

 ground, stump, tree, or anything it may utilize as a sup- 

 port, with its rank growth. In the Fall the foliage be- 

 comes beautifully colored, and persons not familiar with 

 the distinguishing features, mistaking the poison ivy for 

 the Virginia Creeper, are lured into picking the graceful 

 festoons of this treacherous vine, and by so doing are 

 subjected to the exceedingly unpleasant and uncomfortable 

 effects of ivy poisoning, for to the majority of persons 

 mere contact with any part of this baneful plant is suffi- 

 cient to cause a poisoning which manifests itself soon in 

 a severe irritation of the skin causing a swelling, blister- 

 ing and almost unendurable itching. If immediately 

 upon contact with the poison ivy, the affected parts are 

 washed with laundry soap and quantities of running 

 water, or in strong hot soap suds, the irritation may be 

 counteracted to a considerable degree. A solution of 20 

 grains of sugar of lead to a half pint of water may be 

 applied after the little blisters have appeared, but this 

 remedy being poisonous must be used with care. Peroxide 

 of hydrogen is also effective. Such simple remedies as 

 an application of a soap and water plaster, baking soda 

 and vinegar, dry starch, etc., will usually afford relief 

 if they are promptly used after contact. Delay makes a 

 cure more difficult to accomplish. 



A ]ilant with such harmful, poisonous properties should 



not be allowed to spread, and on many estates and farms, 

 systematic efforts are made to eradicate this vine that en- 

 dangers those who- unwarily come in contact with it. 



A number of plants of the \'irginia Creeper that artis- 

 tically draped my stone walls have been destroyed because 

 they were found entwined with poison ivy that had 

 stealthily established itself. Individual and organized 

 eff'oTt to exterminate the plant should be made. 



An effective way to eradicate this undesirable vine is 

 to have some person, who claims immunity from its in- 

 fection, grub its roots out of the ground and destroy 

 them. When this cannot be done various spraying solu- 

 tions may be used. There are a number of commercial 

 solutions that play havoc with the poison ivy, like arsen- 

 ate of soda or carbttlic acid mi.xtures, but where there are 

 pets or live stock these are rather dangerous agents. A 

 safe home-made spraying solution to use is a mixture of 

 commion dairy salt and water in the proportion of almost 

 two and one-half pounds of salt to a gallon of water. If 

 the vine is repeatedly treated with this solution, or with 

 kerosene, it will eventually be destroyed. 



As its general resemblance to the harmless Virginia 

 Creeper often deceives those who dO' not know the differ- 

 ence iietween these two vines, persons who frequent the 

 country side should for their protection become acquainted 

 with the distingT.iishing characteristics. The poison ivy 

 bears a shiny three parted drooping leaf on the end of 

 a long slender stem. The central leaflet of the trio has 

 a stem a little longer than the other two. The margins 

 of the leaflets vary, but if toothed are rounded or blunt. 

 The berries are white and of a waxy texture. On old 

 vines of the poison ivy an additional distinguishing feature 

 is the hairy looking covering of dark fibres that are found 

 enveloping the vines from the ground up to the newer 

 shoots. The leaves of the Virginia Creeper are usually 

 five-fingered, more firm and flat, with conspicuous vein- 

 ing and ribs that temiinate in rather sharp marginal 

 points, like the teeth of a saw. The berries, though much 

 smaller, are grai-ie-like in form and color, Init they are 

 not edible. 



OUR COVER ILLUSTRATION 



""piIE illustration on our front cover, reproduced from a 

 photograph through the courtesy of John Scheepers, 

 Inc.. shows the exhibition of Judge Marean dahlias at the 

 American Dahlia Society Show, held on the roof garden 

 of the Pennsylvania Hotel, New York City. Judge 

 Marean's dahlia creations have again asserted their su- 

 periority at the recent dahlia exhibitions throughout the 

 country, in California, Denver, Pittsburgh and New York, 

 and in other localities. "Marean" dahlias have stood head 

 and shoulders above and beyond all other varieties in the 

 garden as well as on the exhibition table. They are un- 

 questionably the most beautiful and finest dahlias in cul- 

 tivation today, from which further magnificent produc- 

 tions, from year to year, may be expected. 



^^'hen deciding to secure some of these magnificent 

 varieties so as to win the Pdue Riblion at your local dahlia 

 exhibitions, you will find it advisable to reserve your 

 tubers direct from the exclusive introducers. John Scheep- 

 ers, Inc., 522 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The stock 

 is limited; only the actual surplus of Judge Marean's 

 ornamental gardens is available, shipped direct to vou un- 

 der his personal supervision. — Adv. 



