184 THE amateue's geeenhouse 



well trained up pillars and walls, their feathery foliage giving 

 the house a peculiar light and elegant appearance. In addition 

 to the beauty of the foliage, they flower with the greatest 

 abundance in the spring, loading the atmosphere with the 

 most grateful odour. Toung plants are readily raised from 

 seed. A. cr^nis, A. dealhata, A. pubescens, A. Biceana, are four 

 good species. 



BiGNONiA. — B. Cherere, B. jasminoides, B. venusta, and 

 B. grandiflora are all good. The first and last are strong 

 growers, and most suitable for large structures. The first 

 produces large bunches of scarlet and orange flowers ; the 

 second has neat, dark, glossy green foliage, with white flowers, 

 and will do for any-sized house. To promote flowei-ing keep 

 the wood thinned out, and keep them rather dry at the roots 

 through September and October. They will flower freely if 

 the wood is properly ripened, and both the above-mentioned 

 proceedings materially aid that necessary process. The stubby 

 side-shoots when about half ripe strike freely. 



Clematis. — There are so many beautiful species and varieties 

 of the Virgin's Bower, that it is rather a difficult matter to 

 know where to begin, when making a selection. They are 

 mostly hardy, and are unequalled for covering trellises either 

 in doors or out. They are easily increased by cuttings or 

 layers ; the last-mentioned way is the surest to adopt by those 

 who know very little about propagating matters. July is the 

 best time for performing the operation. Yov flowering in May 

 and June select Azurea grandiflora, deep purple ; Standishi, 

 violet-blue ; Fortunei, large double white ; and Jolin Gould 

 Feitch. These must be pruned very hard in the winter, as 

 they flower from the old wood through May and June. For 

 flowering after the above, the undermentioned are particularly 

 good: — JacJcmanni, violet-purple; Buhra-violacea, maroon 

 shaded with violet ; Buhella, rich velvety claret ; Lanuginosa, 

 pale blue, very large ; Lanuginosa Candida. These bloom on 

 the young wood, and should be pruned back to about four 

 buds in November. 



CoB^A. — C. scandens and G. scandens variegata are invaluable 

 for covering quickly large spaces,but with judicious management 

 are equally good for small houses. G. penduliflora is a curiosity 



