ON GROWING IVY IN PLEASURE-GROUNDS AND UPON LAWNS, 
17 
point in building small summer-houses should be to make them harmonize, and 
even blend, as much as possible, with the scenery. It is the crying fault of such 
things that an attempt is made to render them conspicuous in themselves, by the 
most fanciful and sometimes ridiculous decoration, instead of constructing them so 
as to answer the primary end, without obtruding them, as it were, on the observer s 
notice. A small bower, rendered neat and comfortable within, and kept dry by 
being effectively thatched, but entirely enshrouded, save the front, with luxuriant 
Ivy, is what a refined taste would desire and suggest, in shrubbery or distant 
pleasure-ground walks. And we would let the Ivy hang down wildly over the 
entrance, so that it did not obstruct it, and intertwine the most prominent parts, 
such as the front, with China and other climbing Roses, but discard all other 
climbers. It is usual to put a variety of climbing plants against such an arbour, 
in the place of Ivy. Nothing, however, can be so proper as Ivy, for the reasons 
we have given ; and as Roses constitute, with it, one of the most beautiful com- 
binations in nature, they will rather increase than diminish its picturesqueness. 
The kind of Ivy best adapted for the purpose we have just mentioned is that 
called the Giant, or Irish Ivy ; since it grows with the greatest rapidity, and its 
leaves are the most ample. By its aid, a summer-house may be so assimilated to 
the surrounding garden, as to heighten its interest, and actually add a pleasingly 
characteristic feature to its common aspect. Whereas, without some such clothing, 
the strange and formal erections often seen in the remoter parts of pleasure- 
grounds are in the highest degree disagreeable and out of character. 
We stated, however, that there was another use for which Ivy is admirably 
fitted, but to which it is very inadequately applied ; and that is carpeting the 
ground beneath plantations. It is a defect which all must have noticed in 
pleasure-ground plantings of every sort, that there is seldom any provision made 
for covering the ground, except by here and there a laurel or other evergreen shrub. 
Hence, the rankest weeds spring up unchecked, and impart an air of slovenliness 
and neglect, for which no amount of keeping in other particulars can atone. 
Now the easiest mode of obviating this, is, by planting all such places with an 
undergrowth of Ivy. No shade will injure it. It will flourish anywhere, and in 
almost any circumstances ; and when it has fairly become established, will effectually 
keep down all weeds, and present a constantly verdant and delightful aspect. It 
will do away with the necessity for digging over the plantations each year, and also 
for collecting the fallen leaves ; as these last will sink down among the Ivy, and 
there fulfil the end for which they are designed, namely, that of supplying nourish- 
ment to the roots of the trees from which they fell. Either the common British 
Ivy, or the Irish Ivy, may be selected for this object, and those who would shrink 
from incurring much expense in procuring it, may find, in most districts, numbers 
of wild plants in spots where they are not required, and which may be readily 
transplanted, with a little care. 
We wish our observations on the last head to apply to shrubberies as well as 
vol. x. — no. cix. D 
