48 THE WILD GARDEN. 
lap one another from the ground to the top like slates on a roof, 
Over others, the gloomy leaves of the Periploca scramble, and also the 
Celastrus, and on still others the deep green leaves of the Ampelopsis: 
completely festoon the tree ; of some trees all four and other climbers 
have taken possession ; and from among the tops of the Sumach the 
feathery tendrils of the Ampelopsis, and, just now, its deep blue berries 
hold full sway. And these are not all. The Apios tuberosa is 
indigenous, and springs up everywhere as soon as our land is neglected. 
This has also overrun several trees, and coils up and wreaths each out- 
stretching branch with its little bunches of fragrant brownish coloured 
flowers, It is the Arbor-vitees which give the peculiar beauty of this 
description of tree drapery. On the deciduous trees the new growth 
lengthens rapidly, and the branches soon get far apart; but with 
Arbor-vites, which always present a round compact head, the effect 
is entirely different ; they are covered so densely that it is impossible, 
in some instances, to say what the tree is that supports the climbers, 
One Hemlock Spruce (Abies canadensis) has every branch loaded with 
the Apios and profuse with blossoms; but this one sees happen with 
other trees. The Smoke tree looks interesting just now, while its 
flowers are fresh, but soon they will fade, and the dry tops will be a 
disadvantage ; but the Arbor-vite will remain clothed with the 
foliage, flowers, and berries too, of the Celastrus until the autumn 
frosts have shorn them of their beauty, and no falling leaves are 
scattered around. The Arbor-vitee is the tree I would recommend 
when it is desirable to produce such effects as I have described. When 
such strong-growing climbers as Begonias and Wistarias take possession 
of a shrub they generally injure it; but the very slender stems of 
Menispermum and Apios die entirely to the ground after the first sharp 
frost,and the slender stems of the others do not appear to arrest the growth 
of the Arbor-vites, which are restored when the climbers are down, and, 
after full eight months’ rest, are again ready to aid in sustaining their 
more dependent companions. The Honeysuckle, the Clematis, and 
similar plants might, no doubt, be added to the list, and give more 
variety, as well as fragrance and beauty, but I have only detailed the 
effects of what has been done, leaving what might be effected for some 
future trial. 
But the noblest kind of climbers forming drapery for trees 
are not so often seen as some of the general favourites men- 
tioned above. A neglected group are the wild Vines, plants 
