would be manifestly unjust ; for probably no customary usage originated otherwise 

 than in some considerable degree of sound observation. Still, when it hits us too 

 severely, and in justification presents the Ciceronian doctrine, that "a firm agreement 

 among men is the voice of nature, an argument of truth," we may at least be allowed 

 the privilege of a downright, thorough, horticultural grumble. 



This privilege I now claim against a prevailing fashion in particular. ^^ Budded 

 Hoses soon die out ;" '-we couldn't think of planting budded Roses." This is as com- 

 mon as Uncle Tom, and, like weather compliments, is in every body's mouth. We 

 want the Rose on its own roots ; the whole Rose, and nothing but the Rose, with- 

 out the degenerating influence of a briar in its nature. This is the new style of talk- 

 ing — the latest freak of floral fashion. 



Before formally demurring to tliis innovating creed, I would invite attention to the 

 advantages budding offers to the Rose-grower, and to the lover of Roses ; and if these 

 advantages do not actually cover the objection that "budded Roses soon die out," they 

 will be the more highly valued when that objection is shown to have only an imagin- 

 ary existance. Necessity is the mother of invention, and utility is probably a sister, 

 or near relative, capable of being the parent of a similar child. Let us, therefore, 

 illustrate our subject by a sketch from the pomological world, the utility of that 

 branch helping us probably to a clearer idea. 



Every body knows why a Pear is grafted on the Quince. The Quince is naturally 

 a shrub, ten or fifteen feet in height, and of the same natural family of plants as the 

 Pear, which will "take," or bud or graft, freely on it; but in so doing, loses its ten- 

 dency to become a tree, and while thus assimilating in size to the Quince, gains an 

 additional power to flower and bear fruit. This is in accordance with the physiologi- 

 cal doctrine, that what tends to check the wood-forming principle of vegetation, 

 increases its power to blossom and bear. The Rose can be, and is, budded for the 

 same reason, though not for that reason alone. The two principal kinds used for 

 stocks — the Dog Rose, or Eglantine of the poets, Rosa canina (not the Sweet Briar, 

 Rosa rubiginosa), and the Manetti variety of the Noisette Rose — are not such vigorous 

 growers as numerous varieties of most of the many classes of Roses, such as Hybrid 

 China, Hybrid Perpetual, many Bourbons and Noisettes. All these, when grafted on 

 stocks of weaker gi'owth than themselves, flower earlier, more abundantly, and, if judi- 

 ciously pruned, produce as large blossoms as if on their own roots ; Avhile, on the other 

 hand, kinds of weaker growth than these stocks, such as the varieties of Provence, 

 Perpetuals, some Bourbons, Teas, Chinas, and some other classes, though they do not 

 flower quite as freely when budded on them, grow more luxuriantly and vigorously, 

 produce larger and finer specimens, and the flowers they do produce are most superb 

 in comparison with those produced by the same varieties on their own roots. Those 

 who have never seen Souvenir de la Malmaison on the Dog Rose stock, frequently as 

 they may have seen it on its own roots in very varied circumstances, have yet to see 

 the perfection of Rose-culture — not to say floriculture of any kind. 



I have said that this is not the only reason why Roses are budded. The finest por- 

 tion of a perfect floricultural establishment, is its rosarium. In the formation of tliis 

 peerless department, how lost should we be without Roses budded standard high ! 

 What vases are to French terraces, so are these in the hands of the designer, 

 th«n there are so many pretty effects in multitudinous positions and circumstances. 



