38 VINES 
piazza attached. This takes a little care and 
time, but is well worth it, as a piazza with the 
building behind it covered with green is beautiful. 
Select a shade-loving vine like the English ivy 
and plant it outside the piazza; trim off all the 
side shoots of the plant, and when long enough, 
lay the stem on the ground under the piazza, 
bore a hole in the stoop deck, and let the vine 
through; then start training it above the porch 
floor. Do not plant under the piazza or you will 
come to grief, as the plant will not get any water 
or nourishment and will soon die. Do not let 
the shoots get under shingles, as they are quite 
capable of tearing them loose. And do not 
let them grow in and out of the shutters, for not 
only will the vines suffer by becoming choked, but 
the shutters will also be rendered useless and 
even, occasionally, ruined. 
The whole secret of having successful vines is 
consistency in training. Keep them in mind all 
the time; prune but little, but at those times with 
a definite object; assist them to take graceful, 
effective, yet natural forms; then feed and water 
them that they may reach the highest point of 
health and development. The most beautiful 
effects imaginable can be yours, in the surpassing 
charm of a vine-draped dwelling or arbour. 
