The cultivation of the Clematis was as well 
known a century or two ago as at the present day. 
The most usual error is the neglect of cutting 
back the plants in winter. When suffered to con- 
tinue half pruned, or not pruned at all, the stems 
become bare, straggling, and unsightly; and not a 
little discreditable to the gardener and the proprie- 
tor — whether these personages move as separate 
individuals, or enjoy their existence in one and the 
same person. 
“ All the varieties of purple Ladies’ Bower are 
propagated by laying down their branches ; for 
although their single flowers sometimes produce 
seeds in England, yet as these seeds, when sown, 
generally remain a whole year in the ground 
before they vegetate, the other, being the more 
expeditious method of increasing these plants, is 
generally practised. But in order to succeed, 
these layers should be laid down in July, soon 
after their first shoots, for it is these young bran- 
ches of the same year, which freely take root; but 
as these are very tender, there should be great 
care taken not to break them in the operation ; 
therefore those branches from which these shoots 
were produced, should be brought down to the 
ground, and fastened, to prevent their rising; then 
the young shoots should be laid iuto the earth, 
with their tops raised upright, three or four inches 
above the ground : and after the layers are placed 
down, the surface of the ground should be covered 
with moss to prevent the ground drying, which will 
encourage the striking of roots from the young 
shoots.” 
