VINES, HARDY AND TENDER. 77 



rapidity witli which the vine will cover space which has made it a favor- 

 ite with those.who have given it a trial. It is, without doubt, the most 

 rapid growing hardy vine in cultivation, and is useful either for cover- 

 ing the ground, for trellis work, and especially for hiding unsightly 

 structures. Propagation is brought about by cuttings. They should 

 De put in by the end of August, to enable the plants to make a little 

 headway so as to stand over Winter safely. The leaves, being large 

 and soft, should be laid flat on the sand without being shortened back 

 in any way, and allowing only about 3 inches of stem with each leaf. 

 Roots are produced from the under part of the stem a short distance 

 from where the leaf joins. It seldom happens that cuttings root in the 

 ordinary way, tbat is, from the cut part of the stem, so that they are 

 ready for potting in a few days after being put in the sand. Good 

 plants may be had in a short time by layering at this period, keeping 

 the ground moist during the operation. 



SENECIO SCANDENS (Qerman Ivy)— A useful soft growing vine with 

 leaves the shape of the English Ivy (Hedera). Propagate a few plants 

 in the Autumn, and from these a great number of cuttings may be taken 

 off early in Spring. The plants are principally used for growing over 

 the sides of baskets, vases, and also for twining to supports. 



SMILAX (Myrsiphyllum asparagoides)— Old beds of Smilax grown 

 year after year are rather unsatisfactory, the growths being either too 

 irregular or weak. The plan which insures a regular growth and allows 

 the bed in which it is grown to be used for other purposes during a por- 

 tion of the year, is to raise the plants annually from seed. This should 

 be sown during February, in a warm house. Put the seedlings in thumb 

 pots when large enough, shift to 3-inch pots and plant out from this 

 size after midsummer. The plants will be benefited by a warm atmos- 

 phere from the seedling stage until ready for cutting. 



SOLANUM WENDLANDII— In the Southern States this should prove 

 a desirable garden vine. The flowers are arranged in cymes from 6 to 

 10 inches across (bright lilac blue) on the ends of the hanging branches. 

 In this latitude the seasons are too short for small plants to make much 

 of a floral display in the open. As a greenhouse climber, however, it 

 ought to have a place where sufiicient room can be devoted to it. Cut- 

 tings should be made from the short lateral growths, taken about the 

 end of September. 



STIGHAPHYLLON CILIATUM (Butterfly Vine)— The flowers of this 

 plant are not unlike those of some species of Oncidiums, both in form 

 and color. It is one of our best medium-sized vines for trelhs work. For 

 pot culture it is of little service, and only thrives in the greenhouse when 

 planted out. September is the best month for propagation. On out- 

 door plants much of the wood is useless for this purpose, being thin and 

 soft. Choose the growths which were made early in the season; a heel 

 or a joint is not necessary. Root them in bottom heat, potting in 2-inch 

 pots, and afterward in 3-inch pots, in which they will pass the Winter. 



TECOMA QRANDIFLORA differs from our native T. radicans in having 

 very much larger flowers. It makes a v^ry showy vine when in bloom 



