1868. ] 
ON FRUITING THE VANILLA. 
249 
Cherry-pie plant, the sweet-scented Heliotrope, so well known everywhere, 
that I need only state for the sake of argument, that it is described in 
botanical works as an evergreen trailing shrub, growing to the height of 
2 feet, and requiring greenhouse treatment. 
The character of many low-growing and trailing plants is so completely 
changed by being mounted on a stem, that in ornamental gardening they 
serve quite a different purpose to what they did or could have done before. 
Passing over such examples as Eose trees, we have tree Mignonette, and 
even tree Violets, and why not tree Turnsoles ? When I travelled from 
garden to garden in my younger days, I always noted the plants that 
I saw thriving well, whether native or exotic, with a view to turn the 
information to account if ever I should have charge of a garden. About 
30 years ago I found the Heliotrope growing with a stem 10 or 12 feet high. 
Here was a discovery—a trailing shrub on its own roots, dangling from a 
pillar in a conservatory, a veritable Tree Turnsole with an extravagantly 
long leg. The Heliotrope grown as a tree is an adventure quite within the 
reach oi any one who in these days of cheap glass has the luxury of a green¬ 
house, for the leg may be of any length to suit the means of the grower. 
For table decoration no plant is sweeter than the Heliotrope, which is 
peculiarly suited to that trim tufted style of growth like a button Mushroom, 
its stiffness being quite a recommendation to it; for the Heliotrope is 
handsome when stunted, but not so when straggling. If wanted to run, 
and to be tied to wires, as a climber we have only to encourage one leader, 
and bide our time, for the issue although slow will be not the less sure, 
and will give satisfaction in the end. The leaf of the Heliotrope in finely 
raised to produce effect by artificial light on the table, but its chief charm 
is the Cherry-pie odour of its open flowers. 
“ And when the pie was opened, 
Its odour it would fling ; 
And was not this a dainty hush 
To set before a king ?” 
When certain members of the Eoyal Family visited Alton Towers, I recollect 
being asked the name of the lilac-flowered climber, and when I stated what 
it was, they seemed surprised to see the tiny trailing Heliotrope thus set. 
upon its legs. Alex. Forsyth. 
ON FRUITING THE VANILLA. 
MANILLA is not only a plant of considerable interest, but also of some 
economical importance. It grows freely in our hothouses, but like 
many other Orchids, is shy in setting its fruits, even when flowers 
are produced. To obtain the fruit artificial fertilisation is necessary; 
and Mr. Bennett, of Osberton, a very successful grower of the plant,, 
explained some time since in the Gardeners' Chronicle, how this was to, 
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