CLIMBEES. 



35 



have liglit rich earth, and it is propagated by cuttings in 

 spring and autumn, or seed sown in spring. 



The Eccremocarpus is a climber of vigorous growth, 

 which does in our climate if the roots be protected in 

 winter. Its flowers of orange scarlet are very handsome, 

 and the seed ripens well. It flowers in July. It will 

 grow in common garden soil, and it is best to cut it 

 down to the root in autumn, and cover it with a sufficient 

 quantity of straw and dead leaves to preserve it from 

 frost, when it is almost sure to shoot up in the spring. 

 It is easily raised from seed, which should be sown on a 

 hot-bed as soon as it is ripe. The seedlings may be kept 

 in a frame or greenhouse, and shifted two or three times 

 before jipril or May, when they may be planted out. 

 Cuttings also may be taken in August, and kept in a 

 frame through the winter. It likes a light fertile soil. 



The common blue Passion-flower, JPassiJiora ccerulea, is 

 hardy, and will produce its beautiful flowers in great 

 profusion in the neighbourhood of London. It requires 

 a good loamy soil ; if the place where it is planted be 

 not favourable in this respect, it is best to dig a pit two 

 feet square and fill it with the right kind of earth. Some 

 persons like the fruit, but it is insipid. There are many 

 tender varieties, and some of the hybrids with the com- 

 mon sort are .found to be hardy enough to grow out of 

 doors. Cuttings of the young shoots strike readily in 

 sand under a glass. The root had better have a little 

 protection in winter. 



The Lopliosjoermum grows luxuriantly in the summer 

 but dies down in the winter, so that cuttings should be 

 j made in autumn, and kept in a greenhouse or frame 

 I until the spring. It covers a trellis or wall very soon, 

 I and bears beautiful bell-shaped flowers. It will grow in 

 j any garden earth, if it be light, and if its roots are not 

 I crowded. The cuttings should be taken in August. 

 I Seed may be sown in a hot-bed in March or April, or the 

 I fleshy roots may be preserved through the winter in dry 

 earth. There are three varieties bearing flowers, that 

 are respectively rose-coloured, dark red, and purple. 

 Menispermum, or Moon-seed, is a handsome-looking 



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