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THE CULTIVATION OF THE IVY. 



the weather. Hence, if pot specimens are grown for decorating the con- 

 servatories during the winter, they must be allowed to make all their growth in 

 the open air in a partially- shaded spot, and be taken into the house in autumn 

 when the new wood is acquiring ripeness and the leaves are well coloured. 

 Differences of aspect produce differences of colour, and the richest tones of red and 

 bronze are best brought out by exposure to the north in a damp atmosphere. The 

 lovely carmine bars and blotches on some of the silvery-leaved varieties, and the 

 deep tints of chocolate, and purple, and bronze, that overspread many of the green- 

 leaved kinds in autumn, are invariably richer when the plants are fully exposed 

 than if in any material degree sheltered or shaded. But as shelter and shade 

 promote free growth and the development of brilliant tints of green, those who 

 would enjoy all possible variations of character of which the varieties are capable 

 must submit them to a diversity of conditions and aspects. 



IVY ON WALLS. The best ivies for walls are the large-leaved, fast-growing 

 kinds, such as Grandifolia, Viridis, Lucida, Lobata major, and the very distinct 

 and noble Coriacea. The common English, H. helix, in its ordinary form is very 

 beautiful when it has extended itself over a large surface, as it bites close, and 

 never fails to train its branches neatly. All the variegated ivies not of arborescent 

 character make beautiful screens for dwarf walls ; and are so effective that it is a 

 matter of surprise they are so seldom used in this way, their cheerful aspect 

 during winter being one of their greatest recommendations. If it be desired to 

 cover a large extent of wall quickly with fast-growing green-leaved ivies, plants 

 of two or three years old should be procured in pots. The soil of the border 

 should be deeply stirred and liberally manured. The plants should be turned out 

 of their pots in the middle of April, be planted firm, nailed in regularly, and be 

 freely watered from the time of planting till the end of July, an engine or syringe 

 being used to sprinkle the whole of the leafage frequently. This treatment will 

 assist the plant in " taking hold" of the new soil and situation, and the next 

 season it will grow vigorously without any other aid than occasionally nailing or 

 tying in a shoot that refuses to attach itself. Generally speaking, a little care the 

 first season is all that is needful. Any who desire to make a display of skill in 

 cultivating ivy may vary the process slightly as follows: Plant in rich soil in 

 April, train in all the growth you can get, not with any particular regard to 

 appearances, but simply to keep all the shoots upright, even if several of them 

 cross each other. In the following April cut all the growth clean away to the 

 ground line, and the plants will immediately throw up stout shoots. Select of 

 these four or five to train out in the form of a fan ; rub away all the remaining 



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