CLIMBERS 223 



can be as beautiful as England. For, first, we must build our 

 houses of permanent materials, next evolve a national style of 

 architecture, and finally clothe our houses with the most appro- 

 priate vines. 



Before we can grow the great variety of climbers that Eng- 

 land does, we may have to build thousands of miles of high garden 

 walls of brick and stone. But certainly we must plant Virginia 

 creeper (plates 39 and 74) and Japan ivy by the million, especially 

 in great cities, where no ugly wall should be left uncovered. And 

 we must make every house beautiful the year round by growing 

 on it evergreen climbers, especially ivy and euonvmus, which 

 must be planted by the million. 



But while the nation has long to wait, let no one be discouraged. 

 The individual here can achieve during his own lifetime as much 

 garden beauty as the individual in England. Americans are not 

 deficient in originality and we may exercise that gift in devising 

 different ways of training climbers streamers, garlands, arches, 

 wreaths, clouds, veils, bowers, arbours, pergolas, and covered ways. 

 (See plate 75.) Moreover, the most progressive communities, 

 in many cases, have been the ones that had the greatest natural 

 difficulties to overcome. 



It will be a long and hard job to find every plant that fits 

 the climate of the Northern United States, but the longer our 

 minds dwell upon questions of fitness the greater progress we shall 

 make. And when at last we develop an American style of 

 gardening, I believe the climbers will play an important part 

 therein.* 



*For descriptions and culture of particular vines consult Bailey's " Cyclopedia of American Horticulture. " Among 

 the best mgazine articles are: 



"The Decorative Value of Vines" by Frances Duncan, "Indoors and Out" 1909, pp. 78 to 83. 

 "How to Fit a Garden to a House" by Frances Duncan. Ladies' Home Journal, Feb. 1907, p. 24. 

 "The Best Climbers South and North," by P. J. Berckmans. Garden Magazine, Jan. 1909, pp. 273 to 275. 



