Growing and Training Ivies.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2078, 31 October 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

Growing and Training Ivies.

Thi ivy ia one of the oldest and most venerable of all olimbing shrubs and pre pmir.untlj the poefe vine. In some of tbe dfrx countries espcoi&ll; in Em/land, where the chmtvte fg particularly farorable to its Kiovtib, the ivy it very attraotive aDd it said to reach th£ rrcatest perfection there. Travellers wbohave journeyed tbrongb that conntry, dc^crihe the old fry as olingine closely to and completely •overing the walls of anpient eastlea <ir.d churches, and often it runs rampant over the fields, monnting stone walla, clinging to treea, etc. The irj in our climate is entirely hardy, enduring the severest winters without proteotion. If the vine is allowed to grow over the vullf o! a dwelling either on the inside, in a Irving room or on the outer walls of a bnilding, U ii not only beautiful as an ornament of She home, but beneficial ; in a sanitary point ef view it ii regarded ai useful. Some plants tf ivy growing in the living and Sleeping rooms will do more to keep the atmosphere of the apartments pare and wholesome than anything we can possibly imaging, and we recommend their more extensive cultivation to malarial localities. The ivy may be easily cultivated from dips or layers. In soil, sane, or even in pure water, cuttings wfH root, and they will take np with almoft any kind of •oil, but that which csn be easily kept loose is preferable. The ivy is parti*! to ebsde, arid if it never saw the nun it would make no difference, as it would grow and Sourish just the feme. There is no sight more attractive in a window garden than a fin* ivy vine trained op the casement, ovei the wall and ceiling ; its dark, rich, gloeiy leaves and thrifty look make it an objsct to be admired. When grown in pots in the house the soil will won becomo exhausted if the plant is growing rapidjy, and it should be changed and enriched with decayed ruannre at least once eaoh year, care being takon not to disturb the roots to a great extent. It ia a miatal-6 to allow ivie» too much pot room ; they will do better if the rooti are considerably confined. Soap iudi or liqaid manure H applied one-* a month when the planti are ktowjb? will promote a loxoriant growth. When dasr aceamulates on the leav«i, as it will if grown indoors, wash oil with a damp cloth or sponge ; if this ii long neglected yoa need not be surprised il yon find that the leaves are covered with red ipidet or Male lioe. Cold water Is the best valh ; when osing this be sure and treat tbe underside of the leaves ac well as tbe upper ■mfaee. We would recommend the " English ivy " a; being tbe best for general cultivation. —American Ajfnculturitt.