SUMMER. 97 



to firm but slender stakes, or they will be either broken off 

 or twisted out of all proper form. There is a very simple 

 and speedy manner of pegging down verbenas or any slight 

 stems, which I have found effectual : — Take narrow strips 

 of tough bass, about five inches long, put them like loops 

 over the ends of the branches, and push the ends under 

 ground with your forefinger ; this holds them down quite 

 as effectually as the small forked sticks, which torment one 

 by snapping off perpetually. Pieces of wire cut into proper 

 lengths, and bent into a hook at one end, are also an effec- 

 tual means of pegging down ; but the bass-matting is easily 

 procured, prepared, and applied. It is curious to mark 

 how much more rapid the growth of climbing plants is 

 when supported than when left to trail on the ground ; no 

 sooner does a tiny leaf of the Tropwolum Ganay^iense, or tri- 

 color, get hold of a proper support, than the plant, ap- 

 parently rendered secure as to the future, begins to grow 

 rapidly, and soon covers with its graceful foliage the sprays 

 or strings put for its guidance and assistance. The canary 

 creeper will run up to a great height, and forms graceful 

 festoons when trained up the outside of a window and 

 carried along the toj), or over a porch or rustic gateway. 

 This pretty creeper seems to enjoy a wet season ; it has 

 grown luxuriantly this summer, (186^;) and it may be a 

 useful hint to our readers to mention, that its seeds, when 

 gathered green and dried in the sun or a warm room, ripen 

 by degrees, and are quite good for sowing next spring. 

 The first time I ever saw this plant was upwards of 

 twenty years ago, when a friend gave me three seeds, sent 



