THE CLEMATIS. 



213 



off in like manner. Again, the plant would be affected from the base 

 upwards, and not from the top of the shoot downwards. 



From these remarks I think you will agree with me that the principal 

 cause of the "dying off" has not yet been discovered, and I will 

 venture to give you what, in my humble opinion, is the cause. 



After close investigation and numerous experiments, I have found 

 that, in the majority of cases, the plants have been affected after they 

 have naturally died back (as they all do, more or less, between the end of 

 the growing season and the time for starting into growth the following 

 spring) and these dead parts have been removed. The end of the shoot 

 gradually dies back to the first joint, and in the cases where the young 

 lateral shoots have been afterwards affected I have found that the 

 clogging and decaying of the cells have spread below the axil of the 

 topmost shoot, causing it to succumb, the lower shoots still continuing 

 to grow. This, in my opinion, is caused by bacterial action. If there 

 are no other shoots above ground the plants often throw up fresh 

 ones from the base. This dying back invariably takes place during 

 the summer months, when the plant is in full growth, and requiring 

 the maximum amount of nourishment, which it is unable to obtain. 

 It appears to attack plants of the Lanuginosae and Floridae sections 

 more than the others, which have not so robust a constitution. 

 Fortunately, the small-flowering varieties have proved themselves 

 immune from the complaint, so where the cultivation of the large- 

 flowering varieties is not possible one may, with comparative safety, 

 try these in their place. If less brilliant and striking, they have 

 a dainty and picturesque appearance. 



I have classified the various species and varieties usually met 

 with in gardens under thirteen sections arranged from a horticul- 

 turist's point of view, in order to bring together those of similar 

 habit and character, and thereby assist those desirous of making a 

 selection for various seasons and purposes, and likewise as an aid to 

 their cultivation. 



1. Calycinae. — Climbing evergreen winter bloomers, with medium- 

 sized flowers in aggregated axillary clusters on the old or ripened 

 wood. 



2. Anemoniflorae. — Climbing spring bloomers with medium-sized 

 flowers in aggregated axillary clusters on the old or ripened wood. 



3. Atragenae. — Slender climbing early spring bloomers, with 

 medium-sized flowers on the old or ripened wood. 



4. Azurae. — Climbing, large-flowered spring bloomers, flowering 

 from the old or ripened wood. 



5. Floridae. — Climbing, large double-flowered summer bloomers, 

 flowering from the old or ripened wood. 



6. Lanuginosae. — Climbing, large-flowered summer and autumn 

 bloomers, flowering successionally on short lateral summer shoots, the 

 flowers dispersed. 



7. Jackmanni. — Climbing, large-flowered summer and autumn 



