SOIL, PLANTING 



ground for the first season. This point is worthy of 

 more consideration than it has received. Another recent 

 discovery is that a certain number of climbing plants, of 

 which the Clematis may be cited as an example, require 

 to have the lower part of the stems shaded from the 

 direct effects of the sun, especially when newly planted 

 and when the flow of sap is consequently less plentiful. 

 This shading can be easily afforded by planting some 

 low shrub or herbaceous plant in front. 



In some positions, such as rambling over a tree or 

 among other things in the wild garden, climbing plants 

 are best left unpruned and with but little interference. 

 Yet it is seldom that this can be done without lowering 

 the beauty of the effect they produce, and pruning or 

 training of some kind is usually required and is almost 

 always needful if the plant is to be seen at its best. 

 Even the freest rambling Rose clambering up some tree 

 is improved by cutting out some of its weak wood and 

 removing all that is decayed. It is no addition to its 

 charms to see a great dead branch projecting from the 

 cloud of flowers, and thus a little timely attention will 

 add greatly to the attractions of the plant. So, too, 

 while Clematis Jackmanni and some others of free habit 

 look very beautiful when rambling of their sweet will 

 up a trellis or over an arch, a little timely training will 

 make them more pleasing still ; while a careful study of 

 the needs of the plants in the way of pruning will give 

 results which will surprise those who have not fully 

 considered the benefits derived from this necessary 

 operation. 



Formality of training is especially to be avoided with 

 climbing plants, but, in general, there is less of this 

 than of neglect in restraining them so as to induce them 

 to put forth their best features. One may instance the 

 difference caused by regular clipping of Ivy on walls 

 when compared with the results of the common practice 



