98 CLIMBERS [CH. 



Muhlenbeckia complexa is a graceful rapid climber, with 

 long wiry stems and small evergreen leaves, not unlike a 

 Maidenhair Fern. It will readily twine itself to the very 

 top of a high stump, but requires some protection in severe 

 winters. It may be easily propagated from the strong 

 shoots, which are sent up from the base like suckers. 



The Smilax or Green Briar has many varieties. It is a 

 valuable evergreen climber. In Syria it covers the forest 

 trees like our ordinary Ivy. 



The Myrsiphyllmn asparagoides might readily be taken 

 for a Smilax. It is really a Lily, and very easily grown 

 under glass. There are few things so effective for decora- 

 tion of a table, and may be bought by the yard in London 

 flower shops ; it can easily be raised from seed in a hot-bed, 

 and if planted in boxes of peaty loam, may be trained up a 

 pillar in the greenhouse, or be supported by a wire or string 

 fastened above. The Myrsiphyllum needs good drainage 

 and a fair amount of water, and will be all the better if 

 shaded from scorching sun and fed with weak liquid 

 manure about once a week when in a state of growth. 



It is scarcely necessary to describe the very best of 

 all climbers the Ivy whether it be the vigorous Giant 

 Ivy, or the glorious Golden, or the graceful tendrils of 

 the Silver. Whether it be used to cover a bare wall or 

 the trunk of a tree, or to form a clump by itself over 

 an old root, which gives it some support, or as an 

 edging for paths or beds, it is equally good ; but if we 

 wish to have the Ivy in its fullest beauty, it must be 

 trained, or pruned, or clipped, as the case may be, every 



