VINES FOR THE COOL HOUSE 169 
the wax plant (Hoya carnosa). It looks well 
growing on the end wall of a greenhouse, trained 
to vertical wires about six inches apart. When 
not in flower it is a good bank of green. Although 
the plant clings by means of rootlets, it is well to 
disregard the fact and to train it upon wires. 
After the vine is set in the border, the temperature 
of the house should not be allowed to fall below 
50° during winter nights. Keep it very dry 
while resting, as to both atmosphere and soil, 
save for an occasional spraying to keep down the 
mealy bug, which seems rather partial to this 
plant. No winter pruning is necessary, as the 
flowers are borne on mature wood. 
In the spring, when growth starts, the heat 
can be advanced about five degrees and the roots 
watered more frequently. But never get the 
house charged with moisture. The flowers are 
borne in large, attractive umbels, but cannot 
be cut to advantage because of the habit of 
flowering from the same spur the following 
season and from the young shoots the following 
year. ; 
This is the best vine for dwelling-house culture. 
Although it likes the light, it will do a great deal 
better than most plants in the darkness and dry 
atmosphere of a dwelling. I have seen a wax 
