THE IVY. 



69 



with a confidence little inferior to that of our 

 own domestic poultry. As the evening closed 

 in upon us, I observed multitudes of the smaller 

 birds resorting to the " ivy-mantled " trees, in 

 order to enjoy the proffered convenience of 

 nocturnal rest and safety. 



I have profited by what I saw in Tuscany, — 

 for, on my return to my native place, I began 

 the cultivation of ivy with an unsparing hand. 



There are two sorts of this ever-verdant 

 plant. The one is denominated English, the 

 other Irish ivy. Both are exceedingly grace- 

 ful in their foliage ; but the first is by far the 

 better bearer of fruit. They will grow on any 

 soil, save that of swamp. Whilst the plant is 

 on the ground, you have only to cover its long 

 runners with a little earth at intervals of four 

 or five inches, and you will soon have an abun- 

 dant supply of ivy for ornament ; and for use, as 

 far as the birds are concerned. This is a surer 

 way of obtaining plants, than by cutting them 

 at once from the climbing ivy. 



Ivy can only attain its greatest perfection 

 through the intervention of foreign bodies. It 

 travels onward in a lowly state upon the ground 

 until it reaches some inclined or perpendicular 



F 3 



