The scarlet flowering Clematis, Clematis coc-cinea, is a very handsome hardy herbaceous perennial climbing plant, belonging to the natural order Ranunculaceae. As the plant is a herbaceous one, the stems die down every winter. In the spring it throws up from ten to twelve strong shoots which attain a height of from eight to ten feet, at the same time covering a space of from ten to twelve in breadth; the foliage being deeply lobed and of a rich glossy green color. The bell-shaped coral red flowers are produced from the axils of the leaves, on strong wiry peduncles, in the greatest profusion, from July until frost. Even if the plant never blossomed it would be well worth cultivating for its elegant green foliage alone; but when we add to this an immense number of rich, deep coral red flowers, which shine as if they were polished, words are wanting to fully describe the beauties of this magnificent climber. The plant is of robust healthy growth, and as it is a native of our South-western States, is perfectly hardy in this latitude. It will grow freely in any moderately enriched deep soil and in any situation, provided it will get the benefit of a few hours sunshine each day, in order to strengthen the vine.

Another point in its favor is its freedom from all insect pests that prove to be so destructive to our climbing vines, to say nothing of the trouble and annoyance they cause to the cultivator.

In order to keep the plant in a flourishing condition it should be given every fall a liberal dressing of well decayed manure, and this should be dug in carefully in the spring. Keeping the plant free from weeds at all times and training the shoots to their proper places occasionally, during their season of growth, will do much to increase the beauty of the plant. For the introduction of this desirable novelty into cultivation we are indebted to the enterprising firm of Hallock & Thorpe, of Queens, N. Y. It is customary with many introducers to praise all novelties a little more than their merits entitle them to, but Messrs. Hallock & Thorpe have only told a plain tale, and said but very little concerning the merits of this desirable novelty; but that they consider it thoroughly reliable can be seen from the fact that they have offered a liberal series of prizes for the best grown and flowering specimens during the season of 1884. That this competition will do much to further develop the desirable qualities of this Clematis I do not doubt, and I trust that some magnificent and well-grown specimens will be reported by our enthusiastic plant cultivators.