VINES 227 



although others (actinidia, akebia, bitter-sweet, Dutchman's 

 pipe, and several more) may be chosen by one who is familiar 

 with them and can easily get the plants. None of these 

 nine vines can be easily grown from seed, but from a nursery- 

 man a root of any of them can be bought for less, often much 

 less, than a dollar. To these vines can be added the grape, 

 which may be admired quite as much for the beauty of its 

 foliage as for its fruit. It climbs by means of its tendrils, 

 and will go high enough to cover any ordinary arbor or porch. 

 Used as a cover, the wild vines are very beautiful, and are 

 considered by some to give the best grapes for jelly. Or the 

 cultivated grapes can be used. Grapes can be raised from 

 cuttings, as explained in a previous chapter. 



The annual vines may be planted in the ordinary soil of the 

 garden, but the perennial vines ought to have as good prepara- 

 tion as for a tree or a shrub. A hole as wide and deep as the 

 gardener can fill with good food (with manure, compost, and 

 good loam) is none too good for them. 



The support for the vine is according to its nature. Those 

 which climb by means of suckers or rootlets need no trellis, 

 but can grow on brick, stone, or wood. Those which cling 

 by twining, or by tendrils or petioles, should have a trellis of 

 some kind. For the annual vines, strings are good enough. 

 Tie them to pegs in the ground, and lead them to the top of 

 the wall or fence. But for vines that are to live for years, the 

 support should also be lasting. They should be of wire on 

 iron frames, or of some durable wood. Cypress is the best. 

 Sometimes trellises can be bought to suit the place where the 

 vine is to go ; but usually it is wisest to have the trellis made 

 for the place. A boy who is handy with tools can make, out 

 of cypress, a trellis that is better than he can buy at any store. 

 But it should be put in its place firmly, using screws or bolts 

 rather than nails. For vines become heavy, and, when wet, 



