NATURAL MODE OF TRAINING CLIMBERS. 
209 
similar treatment, if it be judiciously carried out. Specimens of Clematis or Honey- 
suckle might be planted in the midst of a number of strong bushy stakes, and allowed 
to throw themselves over these in wild negligence. When such objects have 
attained their full perfection, they would make most peculiar and interesting features 
on a lawn. 
But the more satisfactory mode of accomplishing the purpose with plants of so 
large a character as the species of Clematis or Honeysuckle, would be to plant a 
moderate-sized Lilac — or other shrub which would be ornamental in itself — in the 
required position on a lawn, and put in the climbers around it. These last would, 
in process of time, completely envelope the shrub that sustained them, and yet that 
shrub being alive, would constitute a more permanent support than any dead and 
severed branches could possibly do, while its foliage and blossoms would always 
supply any defect or vacancy that might occur from the climber not completely 
covering it. 
The practice of which we have been speaking is by no means to be considered 
applicable only to climbers in the open ground, or even to include alone, in addi- 
tion to these, such dwarfer sorts as will readily compress themselves into a small 
compass. We have already mentioned the charming Thunbergias among low- 
growing kinds, because the plan is so peculiarly appropriate for them. But many 
Kennedyas and other plants of the like character might be treated according to 
the same principles, and would yield an amount of novelty and beauty which 
would quite astonish some cultivators. 
In the beds and borders of pretty extensive conservatories, too, the taller and 
more vigorous-growing kinds might find a suitable place. A mass of Clematis 
Sieholdii or coerulea, for example, or some of the well-known species of Passion- 
flower, or several of the Ipomoea tribe, would look extremely well when suffered 
to overrun a common shrub ; and, entangling their branches in every possible way, 
create a large bush, profusely enlivened with both verdure and blossom. 
The other class of climbers to which we alluded in the commencement com- 
prises the tall-growing species just mentioned ; but, instead of their in wreathing 
their branches into a bush, they ^ascend some stem or pole, and fling out their 
drooping and flower-laden shoots from near its summit. Of this tribe, the wild 
Honeysuckle and Clematis constitute familiar illustrations. 
To train these in a manner resembling the natural one, they require a tall pole, 
but to render this still more like nature, it should have a quantity of branches on 
the top ; and as these branches would soon decay and fall on a dead pole, it is 
desirable to have living trees, of a common description, for supporting tall climbers. 
A young elm would be especially suitable ; and if it were transplanted at the time 
of putting in the climbers, so as just to retain its vitality but to check its extreme 
vigour, those climbers v/ould speedily outgrow it, and prevent it from spreading 
too wildly. 
In some parts of most pleasure gardens, there are generally one or more trees 
VOL. XI. — NO. CXXIX. E E 
