76 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



its use, as for example, a well-designed chair or table. The other is 

 to add another object to it which shall do no work but help to make 

 it attractive. Shrubbery and vines belong to this latter class. 

 Shrubbery almost always looks best against a house or fence or near 

 a drive or walk. (B. 138, U. of 111. ; F. B. 185, 248; B. of Soils, B. 

 75; Y. B. 1902; Ohio E. S. 106; U. of 111. 138.) 



Vines. Climbing plants meet a demand in the adornment of 

 a place which can be filled neither by trees nor shrubs. Trees and 

 shrubs can be used to hide unsightly objects from a distance, but 

 vines serve the same purpose as the draperies of a garment; they 

 mask by covering unsightly objects. Vines which attach themselves 

 to wire or wood supports and are chiefly valuable because of their 

 covering and shading effects are the clematis, with all its varied 

 forms, the wistaria, the trumpet flower, and the Actinidia and Ake- 

 bia, both valuable cover plants. .For sandy regions either as a soil 

 binder or as an arbor or trellis cover none of the vines is more useful 

 than the Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). There are many 

 other good honeysuckles (Lonicerae) grown for decorative purposes, 

 but none is more rapid growing or freer from insect pests and fung- 

 ous diseases than the Japanese honeysuckle. In this catalogue of 

 valuable vines two more of our native vines justly merit high places 

 the five-fingered ivy (Ampelopsis quinquefolia) and the bitter- 

 sweet (Celdstrus scandens.) 



Annual vines may also serve a useful purpose about a new 

 place. The perennial woody vines are slow growing, and usually 

 make but little shade or protection during the first two or three 

 years after planting. With annual plants, however, the case is quite 

 different. Many annual climbing vines have a profusion of leaves, 

 grow rapidly and luxuriantly, and afford a simple, inexpensive, yet 

 satisfactory means of securing an immediate screen. For best re- 

 sults with these plants special attention to early planting, often in- 

 doors, is essential. When planting-out time arrives, place them in a 

 rich, well-drained soil, and at all times maintain an abundant supply 

 of moisture. Under such conditions use the moonflower. (Ipomcea 

 grandiflora) , the Cobcea scandens, the morning-glory, the cypress 

 vine (Ipomcea quamoclit), the hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab), 

 nasturtiums for low screens and lattices, and the wild cucumber 

 (Echinocystis lobata) for taller structures. Rustic summer houses 

 and arbors may be very beautifully and satisfactorily adorned with 

 cobo3a, or with wild cucumber, during the time which must elapse 

 before the permanent vines can be grown sufficiently to cover the 

 structure. (F. B. 185, 248; Y. B. 1902; B. of Soils B. 75; 111. B. 

 138; 0. E. S. B. 106.) 



KEEP THE BOYS ON THE FARM. 



It has been said that the cities would not last long were they 

 not supplied with new brain and vitality from the farm. How 

 many people have given serious consideration to the real meaning 

 of this constant drain of the best brain from the farm to the city, 

 which has been going on for many years, and its significance and 



