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 96 CLIMBERS [CH. 



species. They are not particular as to soil, and grow very 

 rapidly. 



T. canariense is admirable for festooning trellises. It 

 is best sown early, and hardened off before being finally 

 placed. When planting, it is a good plan to drop a few 

 seeds amongst the young early plants, which will grow up 

 through the summer, and take their place when the first 

 have begun to fade. 



T. lobbianum and majus are the commonest and most 

 free growing of all climbing annuals, and there is no limit 

 to the uses to which they may be put. 



T. speciosum (Flame Nasturtium) is a splendid climber, 

 with brilliant vermilion flowers. It has roots like the 

 strongest convolvulus weed, and they have a strange habit 

 of wandering. Speciosum enjoys deep, rich, and rather 

 moist soil, dislikes hot sun and a dry atmosphere. It 

 would thrive in some spot on a west wall, partially screened 

 by a deciduous tree, so that in hot weather the sun will 

 only reach the plants for two or three hours each day. 

 A careful division of old roots is the best way to propagate 

 them. I have found it a good plan to grow the plants at 

 first in pots until the roots have filled them, and then 

 plunge into ground made light, deep, and free with peat, 

 leaf-mould, fibrous mould, and sand, according to the 

 nature of the soil, covering the surface in summer with 

 leaf-mould or manure to hinder evaporation. Slugs are 

 very fond of the young sprouts, and I suspect are often 

 the cause of the disappointment when they fail to grow. 



T. polyphyllum has tuberous roots, and is quite hardy 



