156 VINES 
should be thoroughly dried off in winter, when 
the stem will die down to the ground. In spring, 
it will start into growth again and may be watered 
more freely. 
The best of all the birthworts for the average 
person to grow, just because its flowers are of a 
of reasonable size, is 4. elegans. The flowers are 
the richest purplish-brown with white markings, 
and are produced in great profusion. 
Other desirable species are 4. ridicula, flowers 
about five inches long, dull white with purplish- 
brown markings; 4. ringens, flowers about ten 
inches long, pale green marked with dark purple; 
A.Westland1, flowers about six inches long, yellow, 
brown, and purple, beautifully splashed and 
blotched. There is also a host of similar species, 
of interest only to the collector, but of which 
any may be substituted for the last named, if 
desired. 
The aristolochias are twiners, and the green- 
house varieties are mostly soft, tender growers. 
Itis therefore necessary to provide a good support 
for them to climb on — one that is not too large 
incircumference. Wiresstretched vertically along 
the back wall about one foot apart, make as good 
a trellis as anything. Set out the plants in an 
open border for best results. A liquid feeding 
