1877.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



219 



ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE PRODUCTION 

 OF NOVELTIES. 



BY EUGENE GLEN, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 



I notice in your last issue, that although you 

 apeak in very complimentary terms of an essay 

 fiworing horticultural copyrights, read by me 

 before the Western New York Horticultural So- 

 ciety, at its meeting held in Rochester, N. Y., 

 last Winter, you state that the plan is open to 

 some quite serious objections which I have 

 omitted to notice. I am sorry that you do not 

 particularize these objections. Believing that 

 the subject is worthy of an intelligent discussion 

 I hope you or your correspondents will not fail 

 to give to the public through your columns, 

 whatever of specific objection not founded in 

 prejudice there may be to the positions assumed 

 by me. No scheme which will not bear up under 

 the freest adverse criticism, should tind any en- 

 couragement in the legislation of the country. 



The title of the essay as designated by me, 

 was, " Encouragement to the introduction of 

 new varieties in horticulture, and prevention of 

 frauds in the dissemination of the same ;" and I 

 feel confident that that feature of the measure 

 which is indicated by the last clause of this title, 

 will prove not less important and desirable than 

 the other. 



It is, doubtless, true that any legislation upon 

 this subject will be attended with some difficul- 

 ties and annoyances, but with my present light 

 I feel very confident that the good resulting from 

 the adoption of the measure I have favored, 

 would far outweigh the evil. Of course I may be 

 mistaken in this conclusioi, and having written 

 the essay witliout any personal interest to sub- 

 eerve, if objections can be presented which can- 

 not be fairly met, or overborne by prospective 

 good, I will promptly join the opposition. 



To facilitate discussion, favorable or unfavora- 

 ble to tlie proposed measure, I will, so long as I 

 have copies left, send a copy of the essay i\s pub- 

 lished, to any gentleman interested in the sub- 

 ject who may write me for it. 



[We have no disposition to take this matter 

 out of the liands of our correspondents. Our 

 position is, that the raisers or introducers of new 

 and valuable things should make much more 

 than they generally do. Any plan tiat would 

 do this, and not bring with it greater evils than 

 those it attempts to cure, will have our approval. 

 We have no room for very long essays, and have 



in the past had to decline diffusive papers on the 

 subject, — but concise, well reasoned articles, such 

 as Mr. Glen could write, would surely find place. 

 —Ed. G. M.] 



RHYMES, AND RECOLLECTIONS OF A CACTUS 



MAN. 



BY WM, T. HARDING, SUPT. OAK HILI^ CEMETERY^ 

 UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO. 



Ye, wbo in gardens doth take delight, 

 Read, and observe these rhymes aright; 

 There's divers things in Dame Nature's range. 

 Of wondrous growth, surpassing strange. 



Good garden folk, right well I ween, 

 Cactuses, doth most curious seem ; 

 Some goodly grow, bedeck'd with posies, 

 Whilst some more sweet doth smell than roses. 



Some there be of most uncomely mein, 

 Arm'f". cap a-pe, with drawn weapons keen ; 

 Yet some I trow, are wondro.us fair, 

 With a winsome look, right pleasant are. 



When sights like these arrests men's eyes, 

 They marvel sore, and with much surprise, 

 Exelaimeth lh>is, in language loude. 

 Forsooth ! ye are a motley crowde ! 



Indeed they are, good reader, and more espe- 

 cially so, when associated with their alliances, 

 are "Of wondrous growth, surpassing strange." 

 And yet, notwithstanding their multiform and 

 often grotesque features, they stand unsurpassed 

 in the front line of loveliness, and floral beauty. 

 Nature, has to a large extent, made ample 

 amends for their curious and bizarre appear- 

 ance, and richly compensated them for any lack 

 of vegetal graces, with which other plants may 

 be clothed. 



Of cacti, some are known as hedge-hog kinds, 

 while the term 'porcupine, would be equally 

 expressive of others. The remainder, might 

 very properly be designated urbanes, and superbs. 

 Euphorbias, so variformcd, would come under 

 such appellations as pachyderms, chevaux-de-frise, 

 blands and brillianU. 



The writer's desire, is to create an interest in 

 their behalf, whicli undoubtedly, they so well 

 deserve. To see them in the front again, would 

 not only be a satisfaction to him, but would 

 prove a source of wonder, and agreeable sur- 

 prise, to the intelligent plant-loving people. 

 They would, he feels assured, appreciate them. 



In Eiu'opc, they are popular favorites, and 

 will he trusts, become so in this country ere long; 

 and receive the proper recognition and admira- 

 tion so justly their due. 



