their CvUication, <Sf'C. 173 



twine from each peg to the frame at the top, where it should be 

 firmly tied. The plants may then be set out, or the seed plant- 

 ed; and as they begin to extend their shoots, they will twine 

 round the cords, and soon reach the top. A pyramid of cypress 

 vine formed in this manner is one of the most brilliant objects 

 the garden can boast. If this plan is objected to on account 

 of the trouble of carrying it out, a common rough stake cut 

 from a fir or larch tree, with the branches partly cut in, 

 answers very well ; we have had Maurandya Barclayd«a, 

 and the thunbergias in this manner, in great beauty. 



Ipomcca Quamoclit (Cypress Vine). This well known 

 and deservedly admired annual climber is one of the 

 most brilliant objects of the flower-garden, when prop- 

 erly planted and treated. The delicacy of its finely pin- 

 nate foliage, the perfect star-shaped form of the corolla, 

 and its dazzling crimson shade, each contributes to render it 

 a most unique climber. It is a native of the East Indies 

 and South America, and was introduced into England in 

 1029. But it is there generally cultivated as a greenhouse 

 plant, requiring more heat than the climate of Great Brit- 

 ain affords to bring it to perfection in the open air, except 

 in warm and sheltered situations. It is figured in Mrs. 

 Loudon's Flower Garden of Ornamental Aiinuals^ p. 26. 



There is one trouble attending its growth, which has pre- 

 vented its being so generally found in gardens as it other- 

 wise would ; this is the difliculty attending the vegetation 

 of the seed, unless sown in a fresh hotbed with a strong bot- 

 tom heat. To obviate this, it is recommended to scald the 

 seeds, by pouring upon them boiling water, and allowing 

 them to soak several hours : they will then rise freely. 



We have generally found it best to sow the seed in April 

 or early in May, in pots, and transplant where they are to 

 grow in June. By this method they make a more rapid 

 growth, and form a pyramid of foliage and flowers much 

 earlier in the season than they would if not sown in the 

 open ground till the latter part of May, before which peri- 

 od, if planted, they rarely vegetate. Trained in the man- 

 ner we have above described, the cypress vine is truly a 

 splendid plant. Any good light rich soil will suit it. 



/. Quamoclit var. alba (White Cypress Vine). Precisely 

 like the species, except in the color of the flowers, which 

 is white. It should be treated in the same manner. 



/. coccmea is a fine climber, much more vigorous than 

 the cypress vine, with small rich scarlet flowers. It is well 



