254 MY GARDEN 



branches. Sometimes the leaves become brown and 

 dry in winter, but those may be rubbed off and the vine 

 will reclothe itself in a short time. Of course the Ivy 

 is not the vine for all situations in our country, a south- 

 ern exposure being very trying to it, but wherever a 

 close, green covering is desired and it is possible to 

 establish the Ivy the result will more than justify the 

 trouble and waiting. 



We are much too quick to plant the accommodating 

 Ampelopsis Veitchii, which, while one of the most useful 

 of vines, is much too rampant and pervasive a subject 

 for many situations. There are several species of 

 Ampelopsis besides Veitchii. There are two varieties 

 growing here, purpurea, and robusta, but I can see little 

 difference between these and Veitchii, in fact I cannot 

 tell the one from the other. Its fine autumn colouring 

 is the chief charm of this vine and in this it is outclassed 

 by its relative, the Virginia Creeper (Ampelopsis quin- 

 quefolia), overlooked perhaps in summer, but claiming 

 the admiration of all in autumn, when every low wall in 

 the countryside has its burning tangle and high in the 

 branches of many a tree Nature's signal fires flash 

 forth. It is a graceful, headlong vine, clinging closely, 

 then hanging in great, loose festoons, and ever impatient 

 of restraint. Any hint from us in the way of cleats or 

 binding cords is not respectfully received; indeed, will 

 probably not be noticed at all, for the Virginia Creeper 

 will swing, or wave or cling or creep as the notion takes 



