282 glenny's handbook 



in fact, it looks well when a single shoot is carried along 

 horizontally near the top of a wall, other plants being beneath 

 it. It forms a fine conservatory climber, and we have seen 

 a very good effect produced by training a single stem along 

 the upper angle of a span-roofed greenhouse. It is propa- 

 gated by layers, which root freely if pegged underground any 

 time during autumn. These may be taken off in the follow- 

 ing autumn, and potted, for the convenience of planting out 

 when fully established. While in pots, like many other more 

 hardy plants, it wants the protection of a frame in hard 

 weather, or the pots must be plunged to prevent the frost 

 penetratiiig the sides of the pot. There is a white variety, 

 W. alba. 



WITSENIA. [Iridaceae.] Greenhouse shrubs of curious 

 appearance, having grass-like, or rather small Iris-like leaves, 

 arranged in the same equitant manner. IF. corymhosa is a 

 favourite among greenhouse plants. It multiplies fast by 

 offshoots from the base, and is not conspicuous until it has 

 spread to a good-sized potful. When required to be increased 

 small portions may be removed from the outside, so as scarcely 

 to be missed from the old plant ; these are to be potted into 

 small pots, in three parts peat soil and one part sandy loam, 

 with a good drainage at the bottom of the pot ; they should 

 be placed on a shelf near the glass, and as soon as tlieir roots 

 till the pots they should be removed to five-inch, and from 

 these to larger ones. They require, from the lightness of the 

 soil, rather close attention to the watering; and the plant 

 soon looks untidy if the dead leaves be not picked off as they 

 decay. Few plants are more carelessly treated than old 

 specimens of the Witsenia, and consequently they are rarely 

 seen in good order. 



WOODBINE. See Lontcera. 



WOODSIA. [Polypodiacese.] A small group of ferns, 

 containing two indigenous species of very small size, and 

 prized on account of their rarity. Some exotic species are 

 hardy, and desirable for rockwork. They may all be gi-own 

 in turfy soil, and require to be kept free from stagnant 

 moisture about the crown of their roots. Propagated by 

 division. The principal ones grown are W. hyperborea, W. 

 Ilceiisis, and IF. obtusa. 



