HEDERA. 



99 



Make the soil damp but never wet. Liquid man- 

 ure should be given fortnightly, and a tea of de- 

 cayed wood occasionally. 



Too high a temperature should be avoided ; the 

 plant does best in a cool room with a range from 

 45° to 6 5 °. 



It is increased by cuttings which root readily in 

 water, or they may be planted where they are to 

 grow. 



As the sustenance of the Ivy is derived largely 

 from its liquid food, it does not need to be re-potted 

 often. Once in two or three years, when growth is 

 arrested by the roots becoming pot-bound, transfer 

 it to larger quarters, using care not to disturb the 

 roots. Changing their location disagrees with 

 them. They should remain in the same place if 

 possible and never be taken out-door. A room 

 darkened too much for Ivy would be unhealthy for 

 human occupants. Sponge their leaves to keep 

 them free from dust, and if infested by slugs wash 

 each leaf with warm soap-suds. Branches placed 

 in a vase or in a bottle behind a picture frame will 

 flourish many months. The plant is of slow 

 growth ; two feet a year is fair progress, though 

 under proper treatment it advances much more 

 rapidly. A thrifty plant in five or six years will 

 decorate three sides of a dwelling room. 



