18 VINES AND CREEPERS. 







rapid progress in the art of gardening. An honorable rivalry will spring 

 up, and there will be a lively competition as to who will have the finest 

 gardens and grow the choicest fruits and flowers. Having made these, 

 which I shall be obliged to call prefatory remarks I will take up the sub- 

 ject assigned to me and call your attention to 



Vines and Creepers. 



Of the various forms of growth peculiar to plants, the climbing or twining 

 habit is unquestionably the most remarkable and interesting. Dependent for 

 support upon their more robust neighbors, these creepers and trailers, simple 

 and lowly though they are, arrest our attention, elicit our sympathy, demand 

 our care and protection, and the intimacy which thus arises creates in us a 

 greater love and admiration for plants of this class than for those of any other. 

 Then, too, they are so appreciative and thankful, repaying an hundred fold 

 every attention which we bestow upon them, by lending additional charms and 

 attractions to their appearance. The American Ivy (Ampelopsis), climbing to 

 the tops of the tallest forest trees, clothing their trunks in summer with rich, 

 luxuriant foliage, which in autumn changes to glowirg crimson tints, presents, 

 at these seasons, a lovely picture for the eye to dwell upon. The English Ivy, 

 covering the walls of some ruined abbey or castle, clinging to an archway, 

 or encircling a tower, is a picturesque scene one does not easily forget and 

 which it is ever pleasant to recall. The Chinese Wistaria, with its long, 

 pendulous racemes of lilac flowers and wreaths of beautiful foliage, never 

 fails to rivet the attention of the most indifferent observer. The Prairie 

 Rose, with its showy blossoms ; the Honeysuckle, redolent with rich per- 

 fume ; and the Sweet-scented Clematis, so exquisitely fragrant what a 

 wealth of floral beauty ! what a profusion of plant drapery ! But I am 

 sure there is no necessity of reminding any one of the many beauties which 

 the plants of this class possess. We will now consider 



The value of climbers for ornamental purposes, and how to use them. 



Every one will admit that the interest and beauty of a garden are greatly 

 enhanced by the use of climbing plants. In city gardens especially they are 

 invaluable, as they require but little attention after being planted, and do 

 much to render beautiful and attractive plain wooden structures, or brighten 

 and relieve the barrenness of brick and stone buildings. Architectural 

 effects are wonderfully improved by a judicious employment of climbing 

 vines. What frescoing and paper hangings are to the interior of a dwelling 

 vines are to the exterior. In nearly every quarter of the city we will find 

 examples to prove the truth of this assertion. Call to mind a residence 

 embellished with a variety of climbers, and you will at once express your 

 admiration of its beautiful and home-like appearance. On the other hand, 

 recall, if you will, one which lacks these decorations, and you do not hesi- 

 tate to say : How cheerless and unfurnished ! This form of vegetation is 

 peculiarly adapted for embellishing pillars, arches, corridors, verandas, por- 

 ticoes, balconies, walls, trellises, and screens. For ornamental arbors they 

 are also particularly valuable. These are garden structures which in our 

 climate seem almost indispensable. On a hot July or August day we all 

 know how refreshing it is to get away from the direct rays of the glaring 

 sun. We seek the shade of a tree, house, hedge, or anything which affords 

 protection. This suggests the more frequent employment of arbors and 

 covered seats in our gardens. They are certainly very useful, and by plant- 



