loosen it. Then, too, the soil must be well drained. Lime should be mixed 
with the soil when planting, and if necessary it may be occasionally added 
thereafter, working it well into the soil without disturbing the roots (a spade- 
ful to each barrow of soil). Applications of water during dry periods will 
help to keep the plants in a healthy condition. ‘The addition of well-decom- 
posed cow-manure, or any other animal manure or commercial plant food, 
worked well into the soil, will supply the necessary plant nutrients. 
Planting and pruning require no special skill. Clematis should be planted 
with the collar of the plant at least 2 to 3 inches below the surface of the soil. 
Prepare a sufficiently lai se area to accommodate the roots easily and spread 
them loosely. Then firm the soil around the roots. It is not necessary to culti- 
vate Clematis, and, in fact, the roots resent coddling. In pruning, one must 
remember that those species of Clematis which bloom in the spring months, 
such as Montana rubens, Recta, Montana undulata, etc., should not be 
pruned until fall, except for the removal of dead wood, which should be cut 
outin February or March. Varieties which produce bloom on new wood in 
the summer and fall should not be pruned until they have become well 
established; then the vines may be cut back to a height of 3 feet to encourage 
vigorous new growth. However, if height is desired for some special purpose, 
merely remove the dead wood and thin out the stems to insure strong growth. 
Experiments have proved that size and quality of blooms are superior when 
the plants are pruned severely. However, it is well to allow all Clematis 
plants to become well established before doing much in the way of pruning. 
While the uncertain winters of the past few years have given gardeners 
much alarm, it is well to remember that winter-killing can be greatly checked 

