The complaints of a nurseryman, in the Gardeners' Monthly for January, of having many unprofitable questions put to him, and which he can ill afford time to answer, reminds me that I frequently find myself sailing in the same kind of ship, by having numerous questions asked and inquiries made, both verbally and written, about the Clematis. It has occurred to me that it might be advisable, if acceptable to you, to offer a few remarks, concerning the Clematis, through the columns of your very excellent Gardeners' Monthly. In so doing, I trust it may be remembered that the following remarks are not intended for the edification of gardeners or nurserymen, or any of the profession, who, in all probability, know the subject much better than I do.

But, inasmuch, as the Clematis is becoming very popular and deservedly gaining favor every day, and, as the professionals say or write very little upon the subject in the periodicals of the day so far as I have seen, I will endeavor to answer the querist as best I can, and he must take the reply for what it is worth. There appears to be quite a lack of general information upon the subject, and the queries are as numerous about the old as the new varieties.

According to the books, the word Clematis is derived from the Greek word klema, meaning a vine branch, because most of the species climb like a vine.

The Clematis belongs to a very extensive genus of mostly hard-wooded, climbing, ornamental, flowering, shrubby plants, and one species or other are indigenous to almost every quarter of the globe. I once heard a lady exclaim to another, while admiring a beautiful Henryi : " Oh ! what a beautiful flower; what a lovely Clematis! Where do Clematises come from?" The reply was: "Oh - oh - they come - they come - they come - from all over." How much "all over" was intended to imply I cannot say. But truly, sir, they come from all over. They are almost cosmopolitan. They are here, and they are there, and they are everywhere. Yet many people seem to think there are very few varieties in existence, and these few are considered comparatively new. Whereas there are from 250 to 300 varieties and species in regular cultivation, and of this number, perhaps 250 are what are called large-flowered hybrid garden varieties. Some of the species have been in cultivation over three hundred years, and are still quite popular.

Jackman says : " The scientific records give a total of about 230 species. Of these 17 are European; 43 of Indian origin; 9 are Javanese; Persia I; 30 of the finest species from China and Japan; 11 from Siberia; Feejee Islands 2; South America 24; Central America and the West Indies 9; North America 35; African tropical mainland 14; South Africa 4; Mascaren Islands and Madagascar 6; New Holland 15; New Zealand 5." Paxton gives a long list of species from about 30 different countries and parts of countries, the names of which are unnecessary to this article and would take too much space.

Their habitat extending over such a wide extent of country, their natural habit, character and constitution, etc, must necessarily differ very considerably.

Some of the species are hardy, non-climbing, soft-wooded herbaceous perennials, as in Erecta and its varieties, growing about two feet high, furnished with large corymbs of white, sweet-scented flowers.

Others are soft-wooded and climbing herbaceous perennials, as in Coccinea, which, I believe, is comparatively new and a native of Texas. I have not had this long enough to know much about it.

Others again are non-climbing, sub-shrubby and hard-wooded, growing erect 1 or 2 feet, as in Viticella nana, and others 4 or 5 feet, requiring the support of a stake, and being covered with large panicles or umbels of sweet-scented white or blue flowers as in Coerulea odorata and its varieties. Other species are tender, evergreen, winter-flowering and require the protection of a conservatory or a hothouse.

But to attempt to describe many of these species would soon take up too much of your valuable space. The first Clematis introduced into England was our old favorite Clematis viticella, from Spain in 1569, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who, it is said, was delighted to be called the Virgin Queen, and in compliment to her majesty the Clematis was very appropriately and very prettily called the Virgin's Bower.

In the same year was brought into cultivation the old wayfarer of the English hedgerows, Clematis vitalba, commonly called Traveller's Jay, Virgin's Bower, Welcome Traveller, Old Man's Beard, White Vine, Smoking Cane, Cigar Plant, Pithwine, etc. One might think a plant having all these common names must be of some importance. Then came Clematis flammula, a well-known European species and called sweet-scented Clematis. After this the pretty little Crispa, a native of North America and of the Viticella type, is now becoming quite fashionable again. Next in importance, Clematis Vir-giniana, which I think is best of the old common white sorts, but which has no distinctive common name, I believe, and often gets confounded with the Vitalba under the name of Virgin's Bower. Besides these have been raised hosts of others, of little importance just now, down to about 1835, when was introduced Azurea or Coerulea, now called Azurea grandiflora or Patens. Flower about 5 inches in diameter, eight sepals. Sepals somewhat recurved and reflexed, of a delicate azure blue, hence its name. About the same time was introduced Sieboldii, under the name of Florida bicolor.

Flower about 3 inches across, sepals standing straight out from the disc, flat and broad, and the center filled with a rosette of purple petaloid stamens, forming a very pretty flower. Sepals creamy white. From Japan by Dr. Siebold.

About 1851, was sent to London from China, I think, by Mr. Forsyth, the grand old Lanuginosa. Flowers, 6 to 8 inches across; eight sepals, pale lavender. About 1863, was sent from Japan, by Mr. Robert Fortune to Messrs. Standish & Noble, of London, I believe, that fine old double white Clematis named Fortunei. Its color is creamy white, sweet scented, 4 to 5 inches diameter. About the same time came Standishii; color, bluish mauve. Also John Gould Veitch, a beautiful double blue or lavender blue; both by Mr. Fortune from Japan. From these last named sorts, viz : Patens, Lanuginosa, Fortunei, Stand-ishii and Viticella, have been derived these magnificent hybrid varieties which we have now in cultivation.

So far as my experience goes, I think the Clematis is a good thing which is destined to become as deservedly universally popular, for out-door garden culture, as the rose; and for indoors, too, for that matter. For the greenhouse, the conservatory, the parlor window, to cover rock-work or rustic arbors, or any lattice work, pillars of the verandah or porch, or any other ornamental use where flowers are desirable.

For individual specimens, trained to ornamental forms or designs on the lawn, or making good pot specimens to place about the lawn, they cannot be equalled by any other plant for this purpose and climate. For permanently bedding out in the flower beds the Clematis is superior to any other individual class or species of bedding out plant with which I am familiar. The colors are all that can be desired, and, withal, it is the cheapest bedding out flowering plant we have, for so good a thing.

Three or four dollars do not go far, even at the low price of a dollar a dozen, for bedding out plants, to fill a bed* prettily. The same sum would nearly fill the same bed with Clematises the first summer, and certainly the second, with good plants to start with; for one good strong plant of Clematis will cover the space of a dozen of the others. The tender bedding plants usually die and have to be renewed every year; but the Clematis, when established, is " there," and better the second than the first year. The older the plant the younger and fresher it appears. The Clematis is well adapted to our soil and climate. It will grow where any other plant will grow and thrive, save and except under water, just in proportion to the treatment it receives. It is not at all fastidious as to soil or treatment, yet no plant is more grateful or will respond more quickly to kind and generous culture. The Clematis likes best a deep, moderately light, but rich sandy loam, well drained. After a plant has become four or five years established it will make a growth of 4 or 5 to 8 or 10 feet in height in a season, according as the plant is of a weaker or stronger habit of growth; and, if carefully trained, will cover as much space in width.

Many of the varieties of the Jackmanni and Viticella types will throw their large umbels of flowers so far above their foliage as to present one complete mass of flowers, with scarcely room for a green leaf to appear. These large umbels or panicles of flowers are made up of six to ten individual flowers, each 4 to 6 inches in diameter, usually four to six sepals of, for the most part in these types, the deepest and richest velvety purple to almost black. These types commence flowering the fore part of July and continue on till the frost kills their foliage in October or November. The different groups give us about all the colors that can be desired, from the purest white to almost black, from Azure-blue to yellow, and from green to scarlet. It is true we could wish the yellow and the scarlet could be improved in size. They are single, semi-double, rosettes and double; sweet scented and not scented. I have had them in flower from 2 inches high to 10 feet high; and also in size from 2 inches to 10 inches in diameter. I have had Jeanne d' Arc measure a full 10 inches across and Lawsoniana 9½ inches in diameter of flower. 8 to 9½ inches are quite common, in many varieties, when well grown; and size appears to be now the prevailing fashion.

The flowers hold in perfection from twelve to twenty days, usually fifteen to eighteen.

I have said they are hardy. They are, and almost as persistent as a root of rhubarb, and should their tops become winter killed, from very extreme weather, they will start up in the spring like a shoot of asparagus. I have compared them to the rose. They are as beautiful in color and as sweet in perfume. But, unlike our beautiful Tea roses, which shrink and wither in the scorching hot sun and have to be taken up and coddled through the winter, the Clematis will glory in the summer's heat and scarcely wince at the winter's cold.

Hardy as they are, however, no plant will be more benefited by, or more grateful for, a little winter protection with a little littery manure or something of that kind. What varieties would I recommend for general planting ? That is a rather difficult matter to decide, and must depend on the purpose for which they are wanted and on the fancy of the cultivator. The family is divided into sections or groups, not botanically, however, but for the convenience of gardeners and amateur planters.

The Montana Group

The Montana Group are strong growers and will flower in abundance from January to May on the old ripened wood of the previous year's growth; the flowers are only medium in size and in clusters, and excellent for cut flowers; but, of course, in order to do this they require the protection of a cool greenhouse.

The Patens Group

The Patens Group - give us the earliest large-flowered climbers; flowers singly, from the ripened wood of the previous year's growth; mostly light colored flowers; May and June out of doors.

The Florida Group

Large flowers from the ripened wood of the previous year's growth; but making a longer growth than the Patens before flowering, and consequently flowering later; June and July. As grown now, mostly double flowers and often sweet scented.

Graveolens Group

Mostly rampant climbers, small flowers, often in large panicles; July to September.

Lanuginosa Group

Large flowers, six to eight sepals; 6 to 9½ inches diameter; climbing; blooming successionally summer and autumn. Flowers on short lateral summer shoots, dispersed and continuous. This group is divided into early and late bloomers; June to October.

Viticella Group

Mostly large-flowered climbers; blooming in continuous masses on long summer shoots; July to October.

The Yackmanni Group

The Yackmanni Group - are large-flowered climbers; blooming successionally in summer and autumn, in continuous masses. This group make a long and strong summer growth before flowering, hence a little later in coming into bloom. They are divided into early and late bloomers. They begin flowering about the first of July and continue till the frosts kill their foliage and flowers in October or November. A slight frost does not hurt them. They will bear about as much frost as a grapevine.

Coerulea Odorata Group

Non-climbing; sub-shrubby; flowering on summer shoots; July to September.

Erecta Group

Non-climbing; herbaceous; flowering, June to September.

These two latter groups are not very fashionable in this country, so far as I have seen, though a few have been grown for many years.

I will endeavor to name a few kinds from two or three of the principal groups; but, of course, a full description cannot be given for want of space.

Patens Group

Albert Victor, deep lavender; Fair Rosamond, bluish-white; Lord Gifford, rosy lilac; Lady Londesborough, silver-gray; Miss Bateman, pure white; Mrs. Quilter, white.

Florida Group

Aurora, semi-double, pinkish-lilac; Countess of Lovelace, double, bluish-lilac; Duchess of Edinburgh, double, pure white; John Gould Veitch, double, lavender-blue; Lucie Lemoine, double, white; Venus Victrix, double, pale-mauve.

Lanuginosa Group

Alba Magna, finest white; Angelina, pale bluish-mauve; Blue Gem, pale coerulean-blue; William Kennett, bluish-lavender; Duchess of Teck, white; Fairy Queen, pale flesh color; Henryi, beautiful creamy-white; Lawson-iana, rosy-purple.

Viticella Group

Lady Bovill, soft grayish-blue; Madam Grange, maroon crimson; Mrs. James Bateman, reddish-lilac; Viticella rubra grandiflora, claret-crimson; Viticella venosa, reddish-purple.

Jackmanni Group

Prince of Wales, deep puce-purple; Alexandra, reddish-violet; Gipsy Queen, dark velvety purple; Guiding Star, claret-crimson; Jackmanni, intense violet-purple; Rubella, deep velvety claret-purple.

Rochester, N. Y.

[A chapter on the diseases of the Clematis would be a welcome supplement to this excellent communication. - Ed. G. M].