Ivies Growing And Training

"A dainty plant is the Ivy green,

That creepeth o'er ruins old."--Boz.



The Ivy is one of the oldest and most venerable of all climbing shrubs,

and is preeminently the poet's vine. In some of the older countries,

especially in England, where the climate is particularly favorable to

its growth, the Ivy is very attractive, and is said to reach the

greatest perfection there. Travellers who have journeyed through that

country, describe the old Ivy as clinging closely to, and completely

covering the walls of ancient castles, and churches, and often it runs

rampant over the fields, mounting stone walls, clinging to trees, etc.

The Ivy in our climate is entirely hardy, enduring the severest winters

without any protection. If the vine is allowed to grow over the walls of

a dwelling, either on the inside, in a living-room, or on the outer

walls of the building, is not only beautiful as an ornament of the home,

but beneficial; in a sanitary point of view it is regarded as useful.

Some plants of Ivy growing in the living and sleeping rooms, will do

more to keep the atmosphere of the apartments pure and wholesome, than

anything we can possibly imagine, and I recommend their more extensive

cultivation in malarial localities. The Ivy may be easily cultivated

from slips or layers. In soil, sand, or even in pure water, cuttings

will root, and they will take up with almost any kind of soil, but that

which can be easily kept loose, is preferable. The Ivy is partial to

shade, and if it never saw the sun it would make no difference, as it

would grow and flourish just the same. There is no sight more attractive

in a window-garden than a fine Ivy vine trained up the casement, over

the wall and ceiling; its dark, rich, glossy leaves, and thrifty look,

make it an object to be admired. If grown in pots in the house, the soil

will soon become exhausted, if the plant is growing rapidly, and it

should be changed or enriched with decayed manure at least once each

year, care being taken not to disturb the roots to a great extent. It is

a mistake to allow Ivies too much pot-room, they will do better if the

roots are considerably confined. Soap-suds or liquid manure if applied

once a mouth when the plants are growing, will promote a luxuriant

growth. When dust accumulates on the leaves, as it will, if grown

in-doors, wash it off with a damp cloth or sponge; if this is long

neglected, you need not be surprised if you soon discover the leaves to

be covered with red-spider or scale-lice. Cold water is the best wash,

when washing be sure and treat the underside of the leaves as well as

the upper surface. I would recommend the "English Ivy" as being the best

sort for general cultivation.