"November 26, 1861. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
447 
largest leaved variety of any in cultivation. The small leaved 
Ivies include H. chrysocarpa, H. lucida, H. donerailensis, the 
leaves of which assume a purple bronz9 in winter ; and H. caen- 
woodiana, a quick grower, and one of the best of the small 
varieties. 
The variegated kinds are very suitable for low walls, such as 
Those helow projecting bay windows and other low positions, and 
include the following—H. canariensis aurea maculata, the golden 
variety of Irish Ivy ; H. margiaata elegantissima, with silvery 
margin ; H, argentea elegans, H. marginata grandis, and Silver 
Queen. These are a selection of the numerous varieties of Ivies, 
and may be useful as a guide, but the best plan in purchasing 
plants is to see them at the nursery. There are few more interest¬ 
ing sights in a garden than a good wall of the various varieties of 
ivy. The contrast in growth, the difference in vigour of the 
plants, the various tints of colour, and the differing shapes of the 
leaves are an interesting and gratifying study, and apart from 
all these in a long wall of Ivies, all planted at the same time, what 
diversity of general growth is apparent. The rapid growers will 
-soon reach the top of the wall, otheis will grow in a pyramidal or 
pointed fashion, reaching various heights, or exhibit some other 
peculiar form of growth, making charming contrasts one with the 
other ; and then when winter comes how pleasant and cheerful 
looks the Ivy wall. The dreariness of everything around brings it 
into bold relief. 
For general purposes, however, and all kinds of positions, the 
chief among all Ivies is the Irish Ivy, which has, and probably now 
does, clothe more old castles, church towers, cottage walls, and 
roofs and gable ends, than any climbing plant in existence. If you 
want a climbing or a creeping plant for the worst position in the 
garden, to cover an old tree stump, to hide a wall, to clothe a dark 
damp patch of earth or bank, or to form an undergrowth or top- 
growth anywhere plant this Ivy, but plant it carefully if the 
position is unsuitable for starting quick growth, and give attention 
until established. If simply inserted in hard dry ground it may 
fail to grow, especially if left to itself and no moisture given. 
Ivy is easily propagated in moist ground, autumn being a suitable 
time to insert cuttings. They may be inserted where they are 
to remain, or on a piece of ground from which they can be readily 
■removed for planting. 
Good moist deep fertile soil is the best for the Ivy as a climber, 
but for creeping purposes, after once established, moisture is 
©f more importance than depth of soil, and this is the reason that 
Ivy does well as an undergrowth. Some assert that Ivy causes 
dampness to buildings against which it is grown, but I have no 
hesitation in saying it is a false idea, arising probably from the fact 
ef Ivy being planted in positions that are naturally damp, and from 
which, moisture-loving plant as it is, it was unable to absorb all the 
-superabundant moisture within its reach. Instead of being a damp- 
promoting plant it is quite the opposite, its leaves being suspended 
•on the plants in such a manner as to throw off the rain that falls 
■upon them, thus keeping the building it covers quite dry. There¬ 
fore those who plant Ivy to obviate dampness, may rest assured 
it will have the desired effect, if, a3 indicated above, the position is 
not naturally too damp. 
The small kinds and the choice forms of Ivy are chiefly of 
slower growth, though some of them grow quickly enough, and 
they require a better prepared soil, light rather than heavy, 
when planting, and also the use of established plants from 
pots is preferable for these kinds than it is with the common and 
'larger. 
There is no hard and fast time for planting Ivy. They generally 
succeed planted at any period of the year, especially those from 
pots. Those dug from the open ground are better if planted in 
autumn or spring. At two periods of the year the Ivy is specially 
beautiful and enjoyable. One is at midsummer after the new 
growth is made following upon severe cutting-in in April, which it 
is perhaps needless to say Ivy on walls annually requires. At this 
period the leaves have just attained to their full development, and 
are of a rich light green, with a texture as soft as velvet, and a 
shining surface like polished stone. The other period is in mid¬ 
winter, during mild pleasant days in December, when the litter 
and untidiness of autumn are gone. Then the dark leathery 
(foliage is pleasant to look upon amid the dreariness of wintry 
ecenes. 
In an interview that the late Hans Christian Andersen, a 
popular writer twenty years ago, had with the present Poet 
Laureate, Tennyson, he remarked to the poet that Ivy seemed 
to be his favourite plant, to which Tennyson replied, “ To tell 
the truth it is. Ivy needs no nursing. It knows neither cold 
nor heat. It is the plant of immortality.”—E. D. S. 
CTo be continued.) 
Cypripedium insigne Sanders. 
One of the most useful Orchids in cultivation is Cypripedium 
insigne, and at different times some fine varieties have been im¬ 
ported, which have taken a prominent place in collections where 
Orchids dre especially grown for use. Probably the most distinct 
and beautiful yet obtained is that named above, for which the 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Orchid Committee awarded Baron 
Schroder a first-class certificate on November 10th last. The 
flower is distinguished by it3 uniform soft, yet clear and bright 
shade of yellow with a greenish tint, except the dorsal sepal, the 
upper part of which is pure white with the exception of a few dots 
in the centre. 
The following is the history of the plant :—About three years 
ago Messrs. Sander of St. Albans flowered this variety amongst 
an importation of Cypripedium insigne. They divided the plant 
into two ; one was sold by Messrs. Protheroe & Morris 
for 70 guineas, the other half passed into the possession of 
Mr. R. H. Measures, The Woodlands, Streatham, who in turn 
divided his plant into four parts, which has been distributed 
as follows :—One found its home with Mr. R. J. Measures, Camber¬ 
well ; another crossed the Atlantic to be placed in the finest of 
Trans itlantic collections, that of Mr. F. L. Ames, near Boston ; the 
thirl remains at The Woodlands ; while the fourth has been pro¬ 
cured by Messrs. Sander for the sum of £250. This is one of 
shillings.—C. ___ 
NOTES ON ASPARAGUS. 
Making Asparagus Beds. 
It is both unwise and unsafe to transplant Asparagus before the 
spring, the best time as a rule being when the first shoots are several 
inches long. If this period of activity is long anticipated the 
chances are the greater portion of the roots, most of which are 
unavoidably broken in lifting, will perish, and the top growth be 
either very weakly or else fail altogether in consequence of this 
injury. There is, however, no good reason why the beds should 
