en
will fret and fume over a Lorraine begonia or some other refractory
plant, not adapted at all to growing indoors, when half the amount of
care spent on a few ivys would grace their windows with frames of living
green, giving a setting to all their other plants which would enhance
their beauty a hundred percent.

The English ivy (_Hedera helix_) is the best for house culture. A form
with small leaves, _H. Donerailensis_, is better for many purposes. And
then there is a variegated form, which is very beautiful. Large
cuttings, rooted in the fall, will make good plants. _Hedera helix
arborescens_ is known as the Irish ivy and is a very rapid grower.

The German ivy (_Senecio scandens_) has leaves the shape of the English
ivy, and is a wonderfully rapid grower and a great climber. It lacks,
however, the substance and coloring of the real ivy. It is,
nevertheless, valuable for temporary uses, and a plant or two should
always be kept. Cuttings root freely and grow at any time.

_Manettia_--This is a cheery, free flowering little vine, especially
good for covering a small trellis in a pot. The brilliant little
flowers, white, blue or red and yellow, are very welcome winter
visitors. Cuttings root easily in summer and the plants are very easily
cared for, being particularly free from insect pests. Give partial shade
in summer.

_Mimosa moschatus_--This is the common Musk Plant which, according to
one's taste, is pleasant--or the opposite. It is of creeping habit and
has very pretty foliage.

There are a number of varieties. That described above is covered with
small yellow flowers. _M. m. Harrisonii_ has larger flowers. _M.
cardinalis_, red flowers and is dwarf in habit. _M. glutinosus_ is erect
in habit, with salmon colored flowers, very pretty.

_Moneywort_ (_Lysimachia Nummularia_)--This is a favorite basket plant,
as it is a rapid grower and not particular about its surroundings, so
long as it has enough water. While the flowers are pretty, being a
cheery yellow, the plant is grown for its foliage. New plants may be had
by dividing old clumps.

_Morning-Glory_--This beautiful flower is seldom seen in the house, but
will do well there if plenty of light can be given. Neither vines nor
flowers grow as large as they do out-of-doors, but they make very pretty
plants.

_Nasturtium_--Another common summer flower that makes a very pretty
plant in the house. Start seeds in August and shift on to
five-or-six-inch pots.