Clematis

Well known and universally admired climbers, some of the varieties being remarkable for the beauty and fragrance of their blossoms. Fine for covering arbors, verandas, etc., as they cling readily to almost any object. Most of the kinds are hardy, herbaceous perennials, but some little protection in Northern latitudes, through winter, is advised. Will do well in any good garden soil.

Cypress-Vine

A most beautiful climber, with delicate, dark-green, feather foliage, and an abundance of bright, star-shaped, rose, scarlet, and white blossoms, which in the bright sunshine present a mass of beauty. Planted by the side of veranda, tree, or stakes, and trained properly, there is nothing prettier. The seeds will germinate more freely if warm water be poured on the ground after planting. Tender annual; fifteen feet high.

Gourds

A tribe of climbers with curiously-shaped fruit, in various colors. Being of rapid growth, they are fine to cover old fences, trellises, stumps, etc. The foliage is quite ornamental, and the markings of some of the fruit quite extraordinary. Do not plant the seed till all danger of frost is over, and select rich, mellow ground. Tender annual climbers; ten to twenty feet high.

Ipomea

Beautiful climbers, and exceedingly attractive mixed with other climbers. The flowers are of a variety of shapes and sizes, and of an endless number of colors, many being wondrously brilliant, and of graceful form. They are alike good for green-house for pots and baskets, and for trellises, stumps, arbors, etc. They require heat in starting, and some of the varieties will not succeed out of the greenhouse. Tender annuals; five to ten feet high.

Maurandya

Graceful climber for green-house, parlor, baskets, or out-door purposes. Set out in the border with a little frame to which to attach their tendrils, they will be loaded all the season with rich purple, white, and rose, foxglove-shaped blossoms. The seed should be started in hotbed or green-house, as without artificial heat, they will scarcely flower the first season. They must be removed to a warm place on the approach of cold weather in autumn. Tender perennial climber; six feet high.

Smilax

No climbing plant in cultivation surpasses this-for the graceful beauty of its foliage. In cut flowers, and for wreaths, etc., it is indispensable to florists. Its hard texture enables it to be kept several days after being cut, without wilting. Nothing is finer for clothing statuettes, vases, etc. Soak the seed in warm water twelve hours, and plant in pots, in hot-bed or green-house, in February, and keep in a warm, moist place. One plant in a two-inch pot is enough. After they have completed their growth and the foliage begins to turn yellow, turn the pots on their sides and withhold water till August, when the little bulb which has formed can be repotted in good, rich earth, and watered freely, and it will grow all winter. Tender perennial climber; ten feet high.