G THE ROSE GARDEN. 



in rich abundance : the plants raised would produce flowers varying in colour, 

 size, and degree of fulness.* We may suppose the handsomest of these would be 

 cherished most, and the probability is, seeds would be saved from such : hence we 

 might expect to obtain a variety as before, and a further advance in beauty. So 

 on from time to time, the improvement taking place so gradually as to fix the 

 attention only of the curious in these matters; or if, at any period, a great advance 

 had been made, it would not have been considered worthy of record in less civi- 

 lized times, when the constant occurrence of important changes and stirring events 

 kept men in a state of excitement, disquietude, and doubt. Ages might thus roll 

 away, and the species be not marvellously changed from their primitive form. 

 But following the stream of time, we reach the period when the raising of plants 

 became a settled occupation : soon men turned their attention to the improvement 

 of races; then the sexes of plants was generally acknowledged ; and, finally, the 

 effects of artificial fertilization were made known, and the art practised. The 

 latter was indeed a grand stride in the path of improvement : by its pursuance, 

 man stepped in to the aid of nature, and the results are strikingly visible. 



Although departing from our subject, yet, to render this hypothesis more plau- 

 sible, let us glance for a moment at analogous cases. 



Let us turn to the Heartsease, or the Dahlia, whose progress from the species to 

 the present state has been more rapid, and has fallen within the pale of more 

 general observation. 



It is well known that the beautiful garden varieties of the Heartsease are 

 descended from the Viola tricolor and Viola lutea of Botanists, both species indi- 

 genous to Britain. They had long been grown in the borders of flower gardens, 

 and the flowers had no doubt become varied in colour and size ; but I believe it 

 is not more than thirty years since Mr. Thompson, of Iver, first commenced their 

 cultivation with the expectation of improving them. They were then, perhaps, 

 not very far removed from the species. He collected several kinds, and saved 

 seed from them promiscuously. From the plants thus raised, some were larger 

 and handsomer than their parents : these he reserved, saving seed from such ; and 

 by continuing to reserve and save seed from the finest varieties, and by planting 

 them in the most favourable soil, he materially improved them. He did not long 

 work single-handed : other Florists joined him, and the results are now before us ; 

 — the flowers are changed from an irregular and indescribable form, and become 

 quite circular. I do not know whether he adopted artificial fertilization in his 

 course of practice, but others have done so. 



Take another instance. The Dahlia, when first introduced to England, was 

 single ; the flowers had but one row of petals, the centre being occtipied with a 

 yellow disk ; they resembled a single Aster. The first double Dahlias had long, 



* In presuming thus far we are supported by natural occurrences. The flowers of the Dog- 

 rose in the hedges and woods vary in size and colour ; and in the South of Europe some of the 

 wild kinds have double flowers. 



