FLORA'S LEXICON. 



185 



OSE, MONTHLY. This plant, so fre- 

 quently seen clustering round the cottage 

 porch, as well in the immediate outskirts 

 of busy smoky towns, as in the remotest 

 vales, was originally brought to England in 

 1789. It was then thought so delicate as 

 to require the constant heat of the stove, 

 and small cuttings were sold for several guineas each. This 

 was soon found not to be necessary ; and, in a short time, almost 

 every country casement was ornamented by this Chinese beauty ; 

 until the cottagers, wanting means to purchase flower-pots, 

 planted them in the open ground ; where, persevering in tho 

 habits of a warmer climate, they quickly surpassed, in strength 

 and beauty, all the inmates of the "gardens in which art supplies 

 the fervour and the force of Indian skies." 



This is the earliest flowering rose ; and, in mild seasons, when 

 planted against a wall, will sometimes flower in-the beginning of 

 April ; and, being protected by glass in autumn, or aided by arti- 

 ficial heat, may be continued in bloom till Christmas. 



BEAUTY EVER NEW. 



Hurrah for the Prairie! no blight on its breeze, 

 No mist from the mountains, no shadow from trees, 

 It steals, incense-loaded, that gale, from the west, 

 As bees from the Prairie-rose fly to the nest 



Then fly to the Prairie, sweet maiden, with me, 

 The vine and the Prairie-rose cluster for thee, 

 And, hailing the moon in the prairie-propt sky, 

 The mocking-bird echoes the katy-did's cry. 



There is nothing to cloy in the wilds of the West, 

 Each day has its pleasure, each evening its zest, 

 Our toil is a pastime, our rifles afford 

 The joy of the chase and the food for the board. 



MITCHELL. 



16* 



