CLIMBERS UNDER CLASS 69 



Young shoots about eight inches long strike well in 

 summer. Thomsons is the most cultivated, and makes 

 a brilliant effect with its crimson and white flowers, but 

 splendens is another of great beauty with its bright 

 scarlet blooms. The variety of this named Balfouri is 

 a favourite for trellis training. 



The Lapageria is another acceptable climber, and its 

 slender habit and fine flowers make it very suitable for 

 a house in which the reduction of much light is un- 

 desirable, or where there is little space. It is best 

 propagated by layers, pegged down and covered with 

 soil, and likes a large proportion of fibrous peat— about 

 three parts — with one of loam, and about a sixth sand 

 and a little charcoal. Raising from- seeds is largely 

 resorted to, though the other method is necessary to 

 secure a good variety — an important thing with the 

 Lapageria. The root-space should be confined to pre- 

 vent the appearance of growths in undesirable places, 

 but otherwise the Lapageria should have plenty of room. 

 It should have cool treatment with just sufficient heat to 

 exclude the frost. 



There are many varieties, but alba may well be grown 

 along with the typical rosea or its best varieties. 



The Ipomoeas, with which is classed the Batatus, are 

 desirable twining or climbing plants, and they are 

 generally graceful in a glass structure. They are 

 attractive hanging from the rafters of the stove or 

 conservatory, and also on trellises and pillars in the 

 latter, where their beautiful flowers are seen to most 

 advantage. They are not difficult to grow, and the 

 annuals are raised from seeds, sown in pots, with from 

 two to three seeds in each pot ; the perennials being 

 propagated by means of layers or side-shoots, struck in 

 bottom heat. Few can see such fine species as Ipomoea 

 Learii, with its glorious blue flowers, or the winter- 

 blooming Horsfalliae, with its bright rosy flowers, 



