160. VINES 
the crab’s-eye vine (Abrus precatorius). The 
interest centres in the seeds which are less than 
a quarter of an inch in diameter, bright scarlet, 
with a small black spot. They were formerly 
used in India as standards of weight, and are 
still used for making rosaries, etc. 
Plant the vine in the open border, in a warm 
house and water freely during summer. It 
will attain a height of twelve feet, and produce 
the small pink and white flowers freely. 
I think that on all counts the very best foliage 
vine is the so-called trailing begonia (Cissus 
discolor). It requires a stove temperature, and 
is usually grown in a pot and kept trained to 
some kind of a trellis or balloon frame. Treated 
thus, it is an attractive plant for house decoration; 
but it is much more impressive planted out and 
allowed to ascend a pillar or support in the stove 
house. The foliage is a bright, velvety green, 
beautifully mottled with white, with the under 
surface deep reddish-purple. 
Prune back in early spring after the resting 
period, and, just before growth starts, remove 
the very weak shoots. With good, rich soil and 
abundant heat (the temperature should be about 
70°), this vine will attain a height of twenty 
feet. The plant is tendril bearing and needs 
