Vines, while they are the most graceful of plants, are the most easily
cultivated ; hence they should be our first choice for in-door growth.
And, chief of all, should stand the Irish or German ivy, as it is popu-
larly called ; for no matter how low, or shady or close a room may be
it is sure to flourish.
Too great exposure to the sun causes the leaves of this species of ivy to
turn purple, and to ripen too quickly ; yet it will seldom blossom without
sunshine. It must be frequently watered, but not liberally, just enough
to keep it from wilting. Suspend the pot from the ceiling, in front of
a window where there is little sun, or set it upon the mantel or a bracket,
where there is plenty of light, and let the branches droop or climb as
they will ; or gather them with slender cords into festoons about the
window and walls ; the plant is much handsomer thus than if trained to
a frame. Early in June, trim off the longest branches, or give them
some slight support, and set it with the garden shrubs (having filled the
hole in with good soil) ; in the fall bring it indoors again, where if
trained on the walls or a trellis, it will form a network of glossy green
leaves.
A pot of English ivy on each side of a bay window will soon give it
the appearance of a summer bower. It is a hardy plant that will thrive
in any part of the house, provided it be kept moist. To insure this con-
dition, it is best to put the pot containing the ivy into a larger one and
fill the space between with moss, which must be kept constantly soaked.
The Madeira vine is one of the easiest grown, and a very rapid
104 FLOWERS.
climber. All you have to do is to put the tuber in the ground, and in
a very short time it will cover a large space. The roots can be kept
over winter in the cellar.
The cobea is not excelled by any vine, when its rapid climbing quali-
ties, graceful foliage, and lovely bell-shaped flowers are considered. It
can be grown from seed, provided you have bottom heat to start them,
and the seeds must be planted edgeways. But you can get plants much
quicker by rooting the cuttings in sand. The cobea being somewhat
tender must not be planted outdoors until the weather is quite warm.
The maurandia is a new favorite that is rapidly becoming popular
for garden and trellis culture, and bids fair to become as common as
the staunch old morning-glory. Cypress vine, canna and many other
hard-shelled seeds, require a long time to vegetate in the open ground.
You can materially hasten germination by pouring scalding water over
them, and allow them to remain until the water is cold. The seeds
of globe amaranthus, and some others, are enveloped in a cottony sub-
stance, and require to be soaked in milk previous to sowing.
Perhaps no climbing plant in cultivation equals the smilax. Its
peculiar wavy formation renders it desirable for vases or hanging bas-
kets, and it can be grown from seeds or from bulbs. Pot the bulbs as
soon as received, watering very little until signs of growth appear. Give
them a warm place, but rather in the shade than where the full sun
will strike them. When growth is complete the foliage will turn yel-
low. Then allow the bulbs to grow dry, and put away six or eight
weeks in a dry, cool place.
Page 92
Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Vines, while they are the most graceful of plants, are the most easily cultivated ; hence they should be our first choice for in-door growth. And, chief of all, should stand the Irish or German ivy, as it is popularly called ; for no matter how low, or shady or close a room may be it is sure to flourish.
Too great exposure to the sun causes the leaves of this species of ivy to turn purple, and to ripen too quickly ; yet it will seldom blossom without sunshine. It must be frequently watered, but not liberally, just enough to keep it from wilting. Suspend the pot from the ceiling, in front of a window where there is little sun, or set it upon the mantel or a bracket, where there is plenty of light, and let the branches droop or climb as they will ; or gather them with slender cords into festoons about the window and walls ; the plant is much handsomer thus than if trained to a frame. Early in June, trim off the longest branches, or give them some slight support, and set it with the garden shrubs (having filled the hole in with good soil) ; in the fall bring it indoors again, where if trained on the walls or a trellis, it will form a network of glossy green leaves.
A pot of English ivy on each side of a bay window will soon give it the appearance of a summer bower. It is a hardy plant that will thrive in any part of the house, provided it be kept moist. To insure this condition, it is best to put the pot containing the ivy into a larger one and fill the space between with moss, which must be kept constantly soaked.
The Madeira vine is one of the easiest grown, and a very rapid
climber. All you have to do is to put the tuber in the ground, and in a very short time it will cover a large space. The roots can be kept over winter in the cellar.
The cobea is not excelled by any vine, when its rapid climbing qualities, graceful foliage, and lovely bell-shaped flowers are considered. It can be grown from seed, provided you have bottom heat to start them, and the seeds must be planted edgeways. But you can get plants much quicker by rooting the cuttings in sand. The cobea being somewhat tender must not be planted outdoors until the weather is quite warm.
The maurandia is a new favorite that is rapidly becoming popular for garden and trellis culture, and bids fair to become as common as the staunch old morning-glory. Cypress vine, canna and many other hard-shelled seeds, require a long time to vegetate in the open ground. You can materially hasten germination by pouring scalding water over them, and allow them to remain until the water is cold. The seeds of globe amaranthus, and some others, are enveloped in a cottony substance, and require to be soaked in milk previous to sowing.
Perhaps no climbing plant in cultivation equals the smilax. Its peculiar wavy formation renders it desirable for vases or hanging baskets, and it can be grown from seeds or from bulbs. Pot the bulbs as soon as received, watering very little until signs of growth appear. Give them a warm place, but rather in the shade than where the full sun will strike them. When growth is complete the foliage will turn yellow. Then allow the bulbs to grow dry, and put away six or eight weeks in a dry, cool place.