JSijrubs an"& Climbers. 239 



to develop the color and size of the flowers. 

 English growers advise that the clematis be 

 richly manured ; some American growers, that 

 it must not have manure about the roots. In 

 any event, the best results are obtained by plant- 

 ing it in new soil, in partial shade. Not unfre- 

 quently the roots of many of the clematis be- 

 come infested with a grub, which forms knobs 

 along the fleshy roots, often impairing the vital- 

 ity of the plant. A species of blight also attacks 

 it sometimes, causing the plant to die down, but 

 apparently not injuring it below the surface. 

 The clematis is of comparatively recent intro- 

 duction to this country, but has already become, 

 through one of its types, at least Jackmanni 

 the most popular, perhaps, of climbing flowering 

 plants. 



It is well that no one flower combines every 

 quality, and that the more conspicuous forms of 

 the clematis are odorless. Were this not the 

 case, it would be planted still more extensively, 

 and we should lose much of the variety which 

 other climbers contribute. Showy as it is, it 

 can not take the place of the climbing rose, the 

 joy of many an arbor and veranda ; or the honey- 

 suckle, sweet as its mellifluous name. The lat- 

 ter is an old favorite, and one that no other flow- 

 ering vine can well surpass. Attractive in all its 



