THE ROSE 243 



species, not always being able to agree as to 

 which forms are entitled to rank only as varieties. 



If there is such uncertainty among the profes- 

 sional classifiers, it goes without saying that the 

 vagueness of characterization of different alleged 

 species and varieties is far greater among prac- 

 tical horticulturists. There are, to be sure, a 

 good many pretty clearly fixed types that are 

 everywhere recognized as having individuality. 

 But each of these is represented by many varie- 

 ties, and these varieties tend more or less to run ' 

 into one another. This can hardly be otherwise, 

 considering the extent to which hybridization 

 takes place. 



Therefore, it would be impossible to make 

 clear record of all the species of roses that have 

 been utilized in these experiments, even were it 

 desirable to do so. 



But it may be worth while to name a few of 

 the more conspicuous ones that have been of ex- 

 ceptional service, and the hereditary factors of 

 which have been blended and intermingled to 

 produce the new types of roses. 



The white and buff Banksias, which are abun- 

 dantly grown in California for ornamenting 

 houses, trees, and arbors, have proved of service 

 because they are very rapid growers, and are 

 practically without thorns. 



