78 VINES 
bronze tinge. The foliage is whitish and the 
stems aud leaf veins are a yellowish white. 
There is also a variegated form, but, on 
account of its slow, weak growth, it is not much 
esteemed. 
THE BEST FOLIAGE DECORATIVE VINE 
Without any doubt, the grandest and best of 
all annuals for foliage is the Japanese hop (Hum- 
ulus Japonicus). The large leaf measures from 
six to seven inches across, and by its rapid growth 
the plant will soon hide an object from view. The 
stem and under side of the leaves are covered 
with a hairy substance, which will irritate the 
skin of a person coming in contact with it. 
Do not plant this hop close to any slow-growing 
vine, like the nasturtium or morning glory 
(six feet is a safe distance), as its rank growth will 
- overpower its neighbour and kill it. The char- 
acteristic, pretty flowers appear in August, but 
they do not last long. They are produced in 
large panicles and have a general resemblance 
to the flowers of the smoke-bush, only they are 
lighter in colour. It is unfortunate that the 
beauty of the flowers is counterbalanced by an 
unpleasant odour, but as you need to get close to 
the vine to catch the odour in any great strength, 
