14 
ON TRAINING ROSES AND OTHER CLIMBING PLANTS. 
adoption of the latter as the preferable, because the more facile and suitable, method. 
Having before avowed ourselves the advocates of that system of cultivating all 
kinds of plants which assimilates most closely to the usual procedure of nature, 
we are happy to be afforded an opportunity of illustrating and enforcing our theory 
by showing the propriety and advantage of its application to the tribe now under 
consideration. 
The natural habitats of climbing plants are too well known to require descrip- 
tion. Most of our readers, we presume, have witnessed the common honeysuckle 
twining closely around the stems of trees in neglected forests, and interweaving its 
slender branches with those of the tree to which it clings for support. Those plants 
which have not the advantage of the vicinage of trees, attach themselves to the nearest 
shrub, and exhibit their beautiful flowers at every aperture in the branches ; or, 
failing also in this particular, trail along the surface of the ground. So far as 
general mode of growth is concerned, this may be considered a fair type of most 
climbing plants : all are incapable of supporting themselves in an erect position, 
and, consequently, are not frequently met with, except where trees or shrubs exist 
or abound. 
These circumstances very naturally suggest the idea of encouraging them to 
ascend poles, or the stems of trees^ in a state of cultivation ; but, strange to say, 
there are few gardens in which this system is practised, much less is it adopted to 
any extent. They might also lead to the supposition that these plants require a 
shaded situation ; but this is not the case, at least with those from temperate 
climates, and to which these remarks are confined. Although found growing 
naturally beneath the shade of trees and shrubs, they are invariably seen struggling 
to obtain an exposure, and either protrude their shoots through the opening 
branches, or tower above the summits of their supporters, and fall carelessly upon 
the mass of verdure they have surmounted. 
Climbing plants of the description just alluded to, are best adapted for planting 
at the base of small trees in a conspicuous plantation or shrubbery, and to these 
they may be allowed to attach themselves ; or, if necessary, proximity can be 
secured by a band of matting or string, till they have embraced them sufficiently 
to render further attention needless. It is particularly advisable to permit them to 
commence twining themselves ; as many of them grow in a peculiar direction, which, 
if altered, would considerably retard their progress and detract from their beauty. 
No just conception can be formed of the great additional charms they would impart 
to our ornamental plantations ; for when they had become firmly established, and 
had grown to their natural size, the trees or shrubs would be seen covered with an 
extensive variety of showy flowers, and present an appearance at once striking 
and picturesque. The usual sheltered situation of shrubberies, or the protection 
which the shrubs themselves would afford, render it probable that many half-hardy 
climbers might be grown within their boundary, provided the mode of growth 
were congenial to their habits ; and even with no other variety than our hardy 
species of Clematis^ Caprifolhim, &c. presents, these departments, which look 
