1870. ] 
THE GABDEX IVIES. 
269 
loam, with the addition of silver-sand. They should be potted firmly, and the 
pots not filled too full, as the tubers grow very fast, and raise up the soil. After 
potting, they are put into a vinery just started, where they remain till May or 
June, when they may be removed to the greenhouse. Instead of stopping them, 
we train them round three or four sticks stuck in near the edge of the pot, which 
dwarfs them considerably. When they are in flower, they may be removed to 
the conservatory. We find them especially useful for the centre of a basket of 
flowers ; one pot is quite sufficient for a room at one time. After they have , 
done flowering, it is only necessary to save two or three pots, as each will contain 
several tubers as large as good-sized potatos, and very much like them. 
This Gesnera^ the Tuberose, and the Gardenia^ of which there are several 
kinds, are some of the most valuable sweet-scented plants we have for decorative 
purposes. The subject of this paper is sometimes known in gardens under the 
names of G. tiiberosa^ G. hulbosa^ and G. longijiora. — William Plbsteb, Elsenlicmi 
Hall Gardens. 
THE GAKDEN IVIES. 
4|;IbOW that winter is approaching, we naturally turn to Evergreen Trees and 
Shrubs, to aid us in keeping up the beauty and interest of our gardens. 
The summer flowers and the summer leaves are alike gone, but by means 
^ of Evergreens the garden may in winter be made as interesting and beau¬ 
tiful in its way as it is in spring or summer. Each season has its natural and dis¬ 
tinctive features, the embodiment of which should be a pleasing task to the 
skilful gardener. 
The Ivy is one of the most important of hardy Evergreens, and to this I will 
now confine my remarks. It is no new favourite, but is alike remarkable for its 
antiquity, its beauty, and its pleasant associations. Dr. Seeinann, who has made a 
special study of the HederacecB.^ brings all the known forms of Ivy under three 
species :— Hedera Ilelix.^ the European Ivy ; H, canariensis, the African Ivy; 
H. colchica (Roegneriana).^ the Asiatic Ivy. In our country H. Helix abounds 
both naturally and by the hand of the planter; and I conceive that there are few 
who cannot look back with pleasurable emotions on some old church, ruin, or 
^‘ivy-mantled tower,” the picturesque forms of which remain indelibly fixed on 
the memory. So plentiful is it, that one can scarcely take a walk or drive with¬ 
out meeting with the various forms covering banks or park palings, and ascending 
trees to a great height, the topmost shoots often assuming a shrubby form. 
From the cultural point of view the Ivy is valuable as an evergreen climbing 
plant, on account of its free, rapid, and accommodating growth. It can scarcely 
be dispensed with in suburban gardens; and even in large towns it generally 
thrives well, suffering from the smoke less than most evergreens. For covering 
walls, fences, trees, and rockwork, for screens when supported by lattice, for 
pillars, edgings of beds, and arches in flower gardens, it is alike suitable. 
