VINES, HARDY AND TENDER. 103 



ing to the north. In cold localities a light covering of fine branches 

 will be beneficial. 



HOYA CARNOSA is the most popular of the genus. It has large 

 umbels of flesh-colored flowers. It is a popular house plant with many. 

 There is a beautifully variegated form. For cuttings take good sized 

 pieces, pot and plunge in brisk bottom heat. The young plants should, 

 if started early, be given a rather high temperature. In Summer they 

 may be plunged in the full sun out-of-doors. An intermediate house and 

 only a moderate supply of water will suit them in Winter. 



HUflULUS JAPONICUS VARIEGATUS In the warmer parts of the 

 country, at least, this vine is a hardy annual, and one of the most hand- 

 some of those having variegated leaves. To have an early growth, the 

 seeds should be sown about the beginning of March and the seedlings 

 potted off singly when large enough. Green leaves preponderate on the 

 seedlings, gradually becoming better colored as the plants increase in 

 height. 



IPOMCEA The Japanese Morning Glories vary much in the color of 

 the flowers, and while some of them are undoubtedly pretty there are 

 numerous shades which will never become popular. A year or two ago 

 out of a package of seed I had 25 distinct shades of colors. None of 

 them approach in beauty the well-known LLearii or the kind known as 

 I. rubro-coerulea. The first named is evidently a perennial without 

 tubers, and it is propagated from cuttings; the last named, from seed. 

 The tuberous-rooted kinds need only to be treated like Caimas or 

 Dahlias during the Winter. In Summer few climbers can equal them in 

 perpetual masses of bloom. Ipomcea paniculata is probably the best of 

 the lot. Other good ones are I. scabra, 1. Hardingii, I. Horsfallise and 

 I. insignis. The two last named are nearly alike, but I. insignis is the 

 best Summer bloomer. I. Michauxi, a native of the Southern States, 

 makes an excellent outdoor vine if started early in the greenhouse. 

 Under cultivation the large flowering variety of the native I. pandurata 

 makes a display of bloom never seen in a wild state. As to their propa- 

 gation I. HorsfalliaB and I. insignis are either rooted from cuttings taken 

 during September, or grafted on seedling stocks of I. pandurata. The 

 other tuberous-rooted kinds are best raised from seed, which should be 

 preserved in the capsules until the beginning of February and sown in 

 boxes of chopped sphagnum, in which they germinate much sooner 

 than in soil. Keep in a growing atmosphere, as the seedlings are prone 

 to develop tubers and go to rest shortly after the seed leaves are formed. 



Ipomota Briggsae is one of the best flowering vines of moderate growth 

 for the decoration of the greenhouse during the Winter months. Most 

 of the other Ipomoeas bloom during the Summer, but this one makes a 

 liberal supply of shoots during the Summer from which it blooms dur- 

 ing the dull months of the year. The color of the flowers is very deep 

 crimson. The old plants should be repotted in early Summer, using 

 light, rich soil and giving them pots large enough to flower in. As the 

 shoots develop they should be tied around stakes, and later on, if wanted 



