MAY. 



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with it. It differs from Solfaterre in having leaves narrower and more 

 pointed, and its flowers are decidedly of a finer shape than those of Solfa- 

 terre, and deeper in color in the centre. The flowers of Solfaterre are much 

 reflexed and flat in hot weather, which is its great fault ; those ofJliigicsta 

 are, as it has bloomed here, incurved, and more inclined to be globular in 

 shape. [' More double and globular, and remarkably elegant in shape,' as 

 he elsewhere describes it.] It is in my opinion a step in the right direction, 

 but I hope it will soon be improved, for in your Southern states it might be 

 crossed with the bright yellow but flaccid rose, Vicomiesse Decazes, and 

 something much more decided in color be produced. Over-propagation, 

 change of climate, and the weather of peculiar seasons, have much effect on 

 the color of roses, more particularly on those of the Tea-scented and Noi- 

 sette class. The first two seasons after I introduced the Cloth of Gold Rose 

 from Angers, it bloomed in England, to my great vexation, of a dirty white. 

 I could scarcely believe that it was the same rose I had seen at Angers, and 

 I made a journey to that place expressly to have another look at it. On 

 again seeing it I felt assured that all would be right in the end ; so that I 

 dare say when the Augusta Rose is well established it will show more its 

 proper character." 



Who are the Benefactors of Mankind? — Dean Swift once remarked 

 that any one who should cause a blade of grass to grow where nothing 

 grew before, was a benefactor to mankind. The object of the author of 

 this remark, was to state in forcible terms, his opinion of the public benefit 

 derived from all agricultural improvements. This saying was figurative : 

 but it might be literally averred that every man who plants a tree is a pub- 

 lic benefactor, whether the value of the tree consists in its fruit, or its flow- 

 ers, its timber, or even its shade ; for, with regard to trees, it may be said 

 that we often seek the substance for the sake of the shadow. We are ac- 

 quainted with a single lady who makes the rational boast, that she has al- 

 ways planted a fruit tree in every place in which she has resided. Whenever 

 she takes lodgings in any new house, if there be a garden attached to it, 

 she plants a fruit tree upon the spot. Such acts, on her part, seem to be 

 disinterested, as her habit of moving from place to place, must prevent her 

 from being the continual proprietor of these trees. Some one is benefited 

 by them, and she enjoys the satisfaction of having done some good in the 

 world. In these acts she displays a true benevolence. 



We knew a gentleman who lived to see the folly of a different course of 

 conduct. On moving his young family into a house which was connected 

 with a large garden, he was advised to plant it with fruit trees. He rejected 

 the advice, and not owning the place, replied that he should plant no trees 

 for other people's benefit. He lived there about thirty years ; and during 

 this space of time he might have raised an abundance of fruit for his own 

 family, and have seen many of the trees of his own planting perish of old 

 age. There is perhaps no species of selfishness so foolish as that which 

 prevents one from planting trees ; since their cost is but a trifle, and the 

 Jabor of attending to a few individuals is both wholesome and agreeable. 



