Without doubt the varieties of Clematis have risen of late years to a very high degree of excellence, and we know of no other plants that can be used for such a variety of purposes, and none is more worthy of extended cultivation in private places. Yet we do not see them grown so extensively as they deserve to be, especially in pots, for the decoration of plant-houses. They are alike suitable for the ornamentation of rooms, either in small pots or in large ones; and the plants may be trained round balloon trellises, or umbrella-shaped standards, or in any conceivable form to suit the purpose and taste of the cultivator.

They are at home as climbers in the greenhouse or conservatory; and what can produce a more pleasing effect than these lovely plant3 when in flower, with their various and delicate shades of colour, hanging in festoons from the roof of plant-houses, intermixed with evergreen plants such as Passifloras, Tacsonias, etc, which considerably assist to hide the bareness of the Clematis when in a leafless state? We are aware the Clematis is somewhat objected to because it is deciduous; nevertheless, with a selection of sorts, some can be had in bloom nearly, if not quite, all the year. And this objection can be overcome by growing the plants in large pots, and removing them from the house when the wood begins to ripen and the foliage loses its freshness. This certainly entails more labour, in training the plants round stakes to prevent them from being broken, until they again start into new growth.

The Clematis is valuable as an outdoor climber for furnishing walls and climbing over verandas, and produces a gorgeous effect when employed in pleasure-grounds in suitable nooks and corners. The Jackmanii type is most suitable for this purpose; still the old C. flammula with its small flowers is not to be ignored, especially if used where it can ramble at will and produce a semi-wild appearance. In fact, any of the class used for the purpose referred to are best left to enjoy the freedom of nature when the surroundings are of a natural character, - as when the limb of an old tree is given them to ramble over, or a portion of a broken-down wall, or anything that will be in character with the portion of the ground where they are employed. They can also be planted on the sides of banks and slopes in company with Ivies, Cotoneasters, Heaths, etc, to form a groundwork, with choice Coniferae dotted at suitable distances, where this natural and easy system of planting is appreciated.

We have also seen Jackmanii used with great taste in the flower-garden; and few things are more beautiful than a number of these plants plunged into a large bed in pots, or planted out if intended to remain permanent, and trained over a low wire-trellis, say one foot or eighteen inches above the soil. "When employed in such positions, as by the side of a winding walk banked more or less with shrubs, and in convenient places in large beds cut out in the turf, such plants can be used with advantage, and flower until very late in the autumn, if not cut off by early frosts.

Where conservatories have to be kept gay all the year with flowering plants, a number of Clematis grown in pots is invaluable. C. indivisa lobata is a charming plant in a pot, and useful for cutting: being an evergreen species, it is not at any season of the year unsightly. It can with judicious management be had in bloom by the end of January or February. For late winter and early spring, C. Lady Londesborough is the freest I am acquainted with: it stands forcing well, and produces its flowers in abundance early in the season, as it appears to do later on. C. Lord Londesborough, Miss Bateman, Sophia, pleno, Mrs Barr, Mrs Badger, Standishii, and Lucie Lemoine flower very freely a little later in the season. The lanuginosa, Law-soniana, and Henryii type will not do for forcing, yet they will bloom freely in pots, and are worthy of pot-culture for the immense size of their flowers, especially the latter variety. Jackmanii and the rubella type are good summer and late-autumn bloomers.

The propagation of the Clematis is effected by means of grafting during April and May, or it can be done earlier if the young shoots have been advanced by artificial means. The time of the operation depends in a large degree upon the young shoots. The stocks can be kept from early winter until the wood is ready. The roots of common varieties are principally used for stocks, - in fact, good fleshy roots can be taken from any of the varieties. The strong roots should have some small fibres on them. The root should be split down the centre for about three-quarters of an inch; the scion or graft should be about three inches in length, containing one pair of leaves, which is sufficient for the graft; it should be cut into a wedge, fitted into the incision in the root, and then made secure with a tie of matting. Afterwards they should be potted in 3-inch pots in sandy loam, placed in the propagating-frame, shaded from strong sun, and well sprinkled overhead with the syringe: only a small space of time will elapse before the graft and stock unite. When the union has taken place, each plant should have a small upright stake to tie the small shoots to as they extend.

If worked at the time named, they will be ready by the end of June to be transferred into 5-inch pots, using a compost of rich fibry loam, a seventh of well - decomposed manure, and sufficient sand to make the whole porous. These will make nice plants by the end of the season, and if well-ripened free-blooming varieties, will produce about six blooms each the following spring and summer.

When the young plants are removed from the propagating-frame, they require to be carefully shaded for a time from strong sun, and gradually exposed to more air. Care must be taken that they do not receive a check, which causes them to ripen instead of making a vigorous growth.

The Clematis enjoys liberal supplies of water while growing, and occasionally manure-water, and should have plenty of pot-room. After the plants have filled the 5-inch pots with roots, they can be transferred the following season into larger pots, according to the progress they have made. Care must be taken not to subject the plants to strong heat when forcing them into flower. The most suitable place for them is an early vinery or Peach-house when first started. One important point to be considered is, that if the plants are required to bloom early, their growth must be early matured, and the plants must receive an early rest by being placed outside. The summer- and autumn-blooming kinds can either be grown in a cold pit or in the open air all the season, and brought in while in flower.

Wm. Bardney.