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TENDER CLIMBERS FOR SUMMER PURPOSES. 
On the effectuation of this method nothing needs to be advanced. All the 
direction necessary is to see that the flowers are plucked as soon as practicable after 
they have faded ; or should they be in spikes, the diminution in size, and feebleness 
in appearance, of the upper blossoms, with the rapid advances to perfection of the 
lower seed-pods, may be taken as the signal for destroying them. 
As it is always best in establishing a rule to state the exceptions to which it is 
liable, that it may not be afterwards encumbered with needless difficulties, we shall 
just name three conditions in which the practice we have been supporting would 
be improper. The first and most obvious one is where seed is wished for. The 
earliest flowers, if they be not too early, invariably yield the finest seed, and should 
therefore be left for that purpose. Even here, nevertheless, the plan is worthy of 
being followed, after an adequate number of seed-pods are formed ; since the removal 
of the remaining blossoms will not only throw more nourishment into the seeds, 
but save the plants, supposing them to be perennials, from undue exhaustion. The 
next condition relates to those plants whose seeds or berries are ornamental. 
Many species of Berberis, Enonymus, Billardiera, Fuchsia, &c, are included in 
this section ; yet, whatever may be the beauty of their fruit, its production should 
be moderated according to their strength. Lastly, some exotics, especially climbers, 
evince so strong a disposition to bear wood and leaves rather than flowers, that 
when they do blossom it is often advisable to let them mature a little seed, in 
order, by withdrawing their superfluous sap, to confirm and enlarge their flowering 
tendencies. 
TENDER CLIMBERS FOR SUMMER PURPOSES. 
Horticulture, as practised in the present day, is essentially different from the 
gardening of former times ; and one of the leading features of the change it has 
undergone in the floral department, is, as we have previously pointed out, the 
partial naturalization of tender exotics. This attempt at acclimatation does not 
extend beyond summer exposure ; but during that long and important period 
throughout which no frosts are experienced, how great is the change which the 
introduction of greenhouse perennials and shrubs effects in the aspect of our 
pleasure gardens ! 
Of all the tribes of what are termed half-hardy plants, there are none so 
interesting, when properly treated, as climbing species, because no others have such 
a truly exotic appearance. Being by no means numerous, for the most part well 
known, and of a delicate, succulent, or tender-looking habit, the mind is at once 
filled with pleasure in contemplating their graceful forms under an open sky, and 
experiences, beyond the gratification caused by their intrinsic beauty, all the delight 
that flows from having reared a susceptible and fragile being amidst unpropitious 
circumstances. 
