68 VINES, HARDY AXD TENDER. 



way, are treated similarly to the first-named kinds as regards propa- 

 gating. 



ANTIGNON LEPTOPUS— In the Southern States this is one of the 

 most satisfactory vines; even in Washington it blooms for about two 

 months out of doors; that is, when put out as small plants. When large 

 specimens are planted out the period of blooming is much longer. The 

 flowers are bright pink, in very large clusters. It should be propagated 

 from cuttings taken in September; make the cuttings with a single leaf 

 attached, and cut below a joint. The large roots are tuberous looking, 

 enabling the old plants to be easily wintered over in a cool house. 



ARAUJA (Schubertia) GRANDIFLORA— It is seldom that we see this 

 noble vine grown well in greenhouses, the plants being usually sickly 

 and infested with mealy bug. As a Summer vine out of doors it makes 

 very vigorous growth, and after midsummer it bears a profusion of 

 bloom. The flowers are not unlike those of Stephanotis floribunda, but 

 are larger and quite as sweetly scented. Cuttings make the best flower- 

 ing vines. These may be taken from the ripe wood before the advent of 

 cool weather. Seeds are freely produced in large egg-shaped fruits; they 

 germinate freely shortly after being sown. 



ARISTOLOCHIA STURTEVANTII and A. ELEGANS are easy to grow, 

 and are almost certain to produce an abundant crop of tbeir 

 exceedingly curious flowers. A. Sturtevantii has soft growth, more so 

 than any other species, and roots very readily from cuttings. A.elegans 

 gets hard soon after developing, and is a trifle difficult to root; but seeds 

 are produced abundantly, and the seedlings are every bit as floriferous 

 as plants raised from cuttings. Both of these kinds may be planted out 

 in Summer to cover trellis work. An intermediate house will suit them 

 in Winter. A. elegans ripens seeds in the open at Washington. Further 

 North the seasons are too short, unless large plants are taken to start 

 with. 



A. sipho is a native species, but far behind the tropical ones in the 

 beauty of its flowers. Sometimes we need a vine for covering unsightly 

 structures under the shade of trees; this is the best to be had, as it luxu- 

 riates under those conditions. It is most easily raised from seeds. 



ASPARAGUS PLUnOSUS NANUS-Plants in beds requiring divid- 

 ing and replanting should be attended to about the middle of July, 

 so as to make sufficient root growth to enable the plants to send up 

 strong shoots. Keep dry for a short time before dividing. This will 

 have a tendency to render any young roots which may be on the plant 

 less succulent, and after planting they will push out all right again. 

 Solid beds, with the idea of having them in good condition for several 

 seasons, should be carefully prepared. The ground soil should, if reten- 

 tive, be thrown out to a considerable depth, drainage, such as broken 

 brick or stones, put in the bottom, and the soil put back with a little 

 manure or leaf soil mixed with it. This is merely for the sub-soil. Over 

 this prepared soil 8 inches or a foot deep should be placed, boxing the 

 sides to a height of 6 inches or so. With the crowns raised above the 



