VINES WITH ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE 207 
makes it a good companion vine for the gourd. 
The culture of both plants is the same. 
Because of the inflated seed sacs, that give it 
its name, Cardiospermum Halicacabum is a 
great favourite with children. It is a fairly good 
foliage plant and in a good, sunny location it is 
worth a trial, especially if there are youngsters 
around toenjoy it. This vine is an annual and 
very tender; therefore the seed should be sown in 
the greenhouse about the middle of March and 
the plants set out in permanent quarters the 
middle of May. 
A good vine for verandas or shady spots, pro- 
ducing clusters of small, white, star-shaped 
flowers in profusion, is the oak-leaved climber 
(Melothria punctata). ‘This plant has small dark- 
green leaves and is a very vigorous grower. It 
will run up fifteen feet or more ina season. The 
flowers are followed by attractive fruits, similar 
to gourds, but of a brownish colour. Itis a tender 
perennial, but is usually treated as an annua! in 
New York and similar latitudes, in which case the 
seed should be sown not later than March 15. If 
desired, the tops can be cut and the root stored 
for the winter, then planted out the following 
spring, in the same way that dahlias are handled. 
Tke curious, little, cherry-shaped fruits of 
