IPOMEA. 187 



the plants are to remain. Without scalding, or unless the hull 

 of the seed is taken off, it will remain in the ground a long 

 time without vegetating. Plants thus raised will, in a warm 

 season, do very well, but much inferior to those that have been 

 forwarded in the frame. The seeds should be sown in a hot- 

 bed, with a brisk heat, in March, in small pots, a number of 

 seeds in each pot, so as to be sure of two or three plants in 

 each. In a month, if carefully attended, the roots will have 

 filled the pots ; it will then be necessary to shift the plants into 

 larger ones. Before the first of June, the plants will begin 

 to flower ; but do not be in haste to put them into the ground ; 

 keep them in the frame, where they can be protected in case 

 of cold storms, but expose them during the day to the full 

 influence of the sun and air, by taking the sashes entirely off. 

 By the 10th of June, the plants may be turned into the ground 

 very carefully, so that the roots may not be disturbed. The 

 ground should be made rich with well-rotted manure: the 

 plants should be placed at the distance of one foot, or a foot 

 and a half, if the object is to cover a wall or trellis. I have 

 covered a trellis by the middle of August, twenty-five feet long 

 and five high, with its elegant feathery foliage, so as to form a 

 complete screen. The flowers, like those of the Morning 

 Glory, appear in the morning and perish before noon. They 

 are of a deep crimson color, and contrast finely with the rich 

 green of the leaves. There is another variety, with white 

 flowers. It should be sheltered from the northerly winds by 

 a fence, trees, or buildings. An elegant cone may be made by 

 setting a straight pole substantially into the ground, eight feet 

 high from the surface ; describe a circle round it, whose diam- 

 eter shall be three feet ; let about ten pots of plants be turned 

 into the circle ; drive down a stake by the side of each, nearly 

 to the surface, to which tie a strong twine, that may be stained 

 or painted green ; let it be carried to the top of the pole and fast- 

 ened there ; then bring it down to the next stake, and so on until 

 the whole is completed. With a little assistance the vines will 

 climb the strings, and by the middle of August will be at the 



