476 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



a tapestry of fresh green upon the trellis, and then when all nature 

 is in full leaf it comes forth with its display of blooms as a welcome 

 to the rare and perfect June. The individual flower is the acme of 

 beauty in form, texture and color, while the background of delicate 

 perfume only adds to that which already seemed perfection. No 

 wonder that the lovers of the beautiful in nature have agreed so 

 generally in crowning the rose as queen. 



The foliage of the rose is ordinarily sparse, and for purposes 

 of piazza screens needs to be supplemented by that of some other 

 climber in harmony with it. This cannot be that of the wistaria or 

 trumpet creeper, or yet of the pipe-vine, for these are all of the coarse, 

 masculine form of plant covers ; but instead something that is both 

 delicate and substantial as the honeysuckle, with its fine, leafy stems, 

 producing a well-disposed screen with flowers that are inconspicuous 

 as compared with roses, and keep coming all the season through 

 with a fragrance of peculiar sweetness at evening when the piazza 

 is most apt to be the outside resting place for the family. The 

 honeysuckles are more closely related to the foliage twiners than the 

 clematises, for in the latter the leaves are light in tone of green, airy 

 in form, and unless the slender stems are numerous, the shade is 

 scant. Certain species of the clematis group are among the most 

 conspicuous bloomers on the whole list of climbing plants, and one 

 only needs to refer to the Jackman type in support of this. The 

 purple and blue, and even the white blooms are truly surprising for 

 their size, but less can be said of the fragrance. Along with the 

 roses such climbers need to be placed at the head of the list of vines 

 with conspicuous flowers, and without which they would lose a large 

 part of their attractiveness and usefulness as ornamental live covers 

 for our homes. The Clematis paniculata type, which includes our 

 native Virgin's bower,* has the more modest bloom, but weaves the 

 small flowers into such a showy, fluffy blanket, that the whole mass 

 becomes conspicuously beautiful. The plant is of the feminine 

 type of climber, full of grace and quiet beauty. It is with this cle- 

 matis that the ornamental nature of the fruit is brought to the front. 

 For weeks in autumn its feathery plumes make a display of refined 

 texture and tint that is one of the most attractive features of the 

 vine. There is no other climber that can equal it, not even the 

 "wax-work," with its clusters of orange-yellow fruits, the handsome 

 berries of the matrimony vine or of the honeysuckle. 



There are many farm buildings that may have an added touch 

 of beauty through a live coyer. Brick barns are in mind with the 

 walls covered beautifully with ivy, and at practically no expense. 

 The shed where stands the grindstone may be made more attractive 

 by a grape-vine or a honeysuckle. The dairy-house at the spring, or 

 the stone wall near the stable might well be draped with green, and 

 add neatness to the scene. It is best not to forget the beautiful when 

 one passes to the rear of the house ; it would be better if the dwelling 

 were front all around. 



No matter what plants are to be grown, they demand a good 

 preparation of the soil. Many think it is only a small matter to 



* For illustration, see page 501 



