48 THE WILD GARDEN. 



lap one unotlier from the grouml to tlie top like slates on a roof. 

 Over others, the gloomy leaves of the Periploca scramble, and also the 

 Celastrus, and on still others the deep green leaves of the Ampelopsis 

 completely festoon the tree ; of some trees all fonr and otlier climbers 

 have taken possession ; and from among the tops of the Snmach the 

 feathery tendrils of the Ampelopsis, and, just now, its deep bine berries 

 hold full sway. And these are not all. Tlie Apios tuberosa is 

 indigenous, and springs np everywhere as soon as onr land is neglected. 

 Tliis has also overrun several trees, and coils np and wreaths each out- 

 stretching branch with its little bunches of fragrant brownish coloured 

 flowers. It is the Arbor-vita's which give the peculiar l^eanty of this 

 description of tree drapery. On the deciduous trees the new growth 

 lengthens rapidly, and the branches soon get far apart ; but with 

 Arbor-vitiBs, which always present a round compact head, the effect 

 is entirely ditt'erent ; they are covered so densely that it is impossible, 

 in some instances, to say what the tree is that supports the climljers. 

 One Hemlock Spruce (Abies canadensis) has every branch loaded with 

 the Apios and profuse with blossoms ; but this one sees happen witli 

 other trees. The Smoke tree looks interesting just now, while its 

 flowers are fresh, but soon they will fade, and the dry tops will be a 

 disadvantage ; but the Arbor-vitse will remain (dothed with the 

 foliage, flowers, and berries too, of the Celastrus imtil the autumn 

 frosts have shorn them of their beauty, and no falling leaves are 

 scattered around. The Arbor-^'itte is the tree I would recommend 

 when it is desirable to produce such effects as I have described. When 

 such strong-growing climbers as Begonias and Wistarias take possession 

 of a shrub they generally injure it ; l>ut the very slender stems of 

 Menispermum and Apios die entirely to the ground after the first sharp 

 frost, and the slender stems of the others do not appear to arrest the growth 

 of the Arbor-vita'S, which are restored when the climbers are down, and, 

 after full eight months' rest, are again ready to aid in sustaining tlieir 

 more dependent companions. The Honeysuckle, the Clematis, and 

 similar plants might, no doubt, be added to the list, and give more 

 variety, as well as fragrance and beauty, but I have only detailed the 

 effects of what has been done, leaving what might be effected for some 

 future trial. 



But tlie noblest kind of climbers forming drapery for trees 

 are not so often seen as some of the general favourites men- 

 tioned above. A neglected group are the wild Vines, plants 



