FLORICULTURE. 



401 



An Ivy Screen. — The old Celtic word for cord ia ITedra, henco the gen- 

 eric name of the tme ivies, in allumon to their cord-like stems. The meet 

 common species is the Hedra hdir, native of various parts of Britain, and 

 from which many varieties have been produced. Old ruins of castles and 

 churches, as well as the sacred temples of a later day, are often half con- 

 cealed with the deep green leaves of ivy. In our climate these plante do 

 not succeed as well in the open air as in some portions of Europe; still, when 

 planted in a half shady position on the north side of the wall, the hardy spe- 

 cies wiU thrive most luxuriantly, as may be seen by e xaminin g some of the 

 old specimens in our Eastern cities. 



The ivies are especially valuable for covering rock work, either natural 

 or artificial, particularly when it is located in a cool, shady place, where few 

 other plants will thrive. Within the past few years our florists have paid 

 far more attention to the cultivation of ivy than formerly, and great numbers 

 of plants are sold every year for hanging baskets and similar ornaments. 

 Among the many fine climbers grown as house plants, there are few that 

 succeed as well as the 

 hardy ivies, for they re- 

 quire very Uttle care, not 

 being very sensitive to cold, 

 and thrive better in shade 

 than when exposed to the 

 direct rays of the sun. 



The i^ies are also very 

 readily propagated by cut- 

 tings made from almost 

 any portion of the stem, 

 whether old or young, and 

 they will strike root in al- 

 most any kind of soil, clay, 

 loam, peat, or sand, al- 

 though a mixture of the 

 last two is preferable to the 

 former. It must not, how- 

 ever, be supposed that be- 

 catise ivy will grow in a 

 poor soil, that it does not prefer one that is rich; and if a strong growth \b 

 desired, generous treatment mtist be given. 



Many beautiful ornaments may be made with these plants, and one of 

 tiie most unique as well as useful, is the ivy as shown in the illustration. 

 Such a screen cannot bo made in a few days, but requires time, care and pa- 

 tience. Provide a strong box of the leni^h required for the screen, and fill 

 it with silver-sand, peat, or leaf mold, adding a small quantity of soil scraped 

 up in the barnyard. Some old pieces of bricks broken up finely may be 

 placed in the bottom before the soil ia put in; then fill up to within an inch 

 of the top. Plant either well-rooted slips or cuttings, and then give water 

 whenever required, but do not keep the soil constantly soaked. When the 

 plants begin to grow, carefully tie them to slender stakes until they are 

 three feet high, and then put up the frame for the screen, which should be 

 of wire, painted green, and of any design to suit the fancy or purse of the 

 owner. As the plants grow, the small shoots may be drawn through the 

 meshes of wire and interlaced, until both sides of the screen become a solid 

 wall of "Ivy green." 



Air IVY SCBEES. 



