for March, 1921 



499 



of the rock garden, touches the sunny l_\rical cord in 

 human emotion. Its most enchanting features are the 

 evanescent character of floral color effects and the sensa- 

 tion of a lasting and happy security in its structural en- 

 durance, as well as in the hardiness and longevity of its 

 vegetation. 



Purport and aims of our work at heart, we soon realize, 

 that for its artistic concentration of thought and the 

 faculty (if |itriHi\ in„' heauty almost intuitively is the 



Rock Garden of Mrs. AndrcZi' Adit', Clwstnul Hill. Mass., iiiuncdialely after j^laiitiiig. 



paramount issue. As for advanced ama- 

 teurs, the fact that even the designing 

 and building of a small sockery is apt to 

 tax personal ingenuity in a most de- 

 lightful way, no doubt, will be one of the 

 alluring incentives for self-activity. En- 

 thusiasm and the communicative joy of 

 work accomplished with love, especially 

 in all those instances where results, by 

 virtue of artistic merit, compel general 

 admiration will make a rockery the pride 

 of a home. In establishing and further 

 developing artistic conceptions, we are 

 profoundly sure the educative tendency 

 and friendly rivalry between the mem- 

 bers of our leading garden clubs is going 

 to prove instrumental. A rockgarden, 

 however, can hardly be construed as be- 

 ing a means for displaying mere splendor. 

 As a conspicuous outdoor feature of a 

 home, it is an indication of refinement 

 preferring the simny, healthy side of life. 

 No matter how small and unpretentious 

 or how extensive and elaborately de- 

 signed, the American rockgarden, as we 

 have it in mind, should reveal our intention to enjoy 

 beauty conceived direct out of our own primitive Nature 

 — the rejuvenating well of .^rt. Looking at the rock- 

 garden from this viewpoint. I believe we have good 

 reason to welcome its recent advent and rejoice over 

 its growing popularity. 



HAS PERFECTION BEEN REACHED IN ROSES 



/^NE of the most interesting and instructive themes for 

 discussion at a meeting of the Rose Society would 



be the question — Has not the acme of perfection of 



beauty been reached in the present best varieties of roses 



or is further improvement possible? 



Certainly it would seem undesirable to increase the 



size of blooms. If roses could be grown as large as the 

 largest peonies, (except for exhibition 

 rivalry), they would not be preferred 

 liy those of refined taste. The dahlias, 

 asters and chrysanthemums of monstrous 

 size to be seen at flower shows cannot 

 compare in artistic beauty and grace, 

 with those of the natural and medium 

 sizes. The same applies to chr}san- 

 thenuuns, dahlias and asters, the first 

 mentioned, when grown naturally or in 

 sprays are by far the most graceful and 

 desirable for their decorative quality. 



The points of improvement yet de- 

 sired are hardiness for out-door culture, 

 delicate fragrance and beauty of foliage 

 and increase in the range of color and 

 shadings, to be made possible perhaps 

 through some scientific discovery yet to 

 be. For instance a black rose with either 

 golden, white or pink stamens, or roses 

 of the beautiful russet and brown shad- 

 ings would be most artistic and charm- 

 ing, but iit form it would seem that per- 

 fection has now been attained in some 

 of the present new varieties. 



l'hiladell>)iui Roekery i^-illi display of Cerastiiiin 



in Sttininer). 



If you hit the mark you must aim a little above it; 

 every arrow tliat flies feels the attraction of earth. — 

 Longfelloi^'. 



The keeping quality of some roses when cut might 

 be improved, and if without thorns will be a still greater 

 desideratum. Improved varieties of miniature roses 

 would also be popular, as note the late growing demand 

 for the button, small pompom and semi-double varieties 

 of hardy chrysanthemums that are now so popular. 



The same question arises, is it possible to increase the 

 beauty of the present new and be.st varieties of the 

 peony. Iris, dahlia and asters? 



{Co)ifinui'd on page 507) 



