ROSE GROWING IN OREGON. 173 



in Oregon, where they grow most luxuriantly without irrigation. The 

 eucalyptus and the pepper trees will not grow in Oregon, on account of 

 our occasional freezing weather, which kills them. The apple arrives 

 -at perfection in Oregon from this kind of climate, for it does not object 

 to occasional cold weather in the winter, and it likes an even tempera- 

 ture in the spring, summer, and autumn. And the orange will not grow 

 in Oregon. 



I do not speak to you as a stranger, for though I was born in Oregon, 

 which has always been my home, I am an alumnus of the University 

 of California. There is no unfriendly rivalry between Oregon and 

 California. Each excels in its specialties. When they have larger pop- 

 ulations, and have received fuller development, California will be the 

 Prance, and Oregon the England, of the Pacific Coast. 



OREGON AS A ROSE COUNTRY. 



Oregon is naturally a rose country. This is shown by the numerous 

 varieties and great quantities of its wild roses. The common soil is 

 a somewhat heavy, yellow clay, rich with vegetable mold. It contains 

 iron in small quantities, which is universally diffused. The best soil 

 for roses is this kind of clay, properly enriched. While a rose will 

 grow in a sandy soil, it does not like such a soil, and if it does not show 

 the effect in the growth of the bush, it is liable to in the substance and 

 color of the flower. 



This minute presence of iron is of the greatest value in brightening 

 the color of pink and red roses. It is iron which makes the exquisite 

 blush on the healthy maiden's cheek. Without it, be she never so 

 maidenly, she can not blush, or at least blush prettily. These roses 

 are affected in a somewhat similar manner. 



When Omar Khayyam wrote, 



"I sometimes think that never blows so red 

 The rose as where some buried Caesar bled," 



he showed that the soil of Persia is deficient in iron, which is supplied 

 by the iron in the Caesars' 'blood. 



The rose comes to its full beauty only when all conditions are favor- 

 able, and all its necessities and all its luxuries are fully gratified. 

 Hardy roses will grow and bloom in a warm climate, where hot and 

 <lry winds abound, but they will not do their best under such circum- 

 stances. 



In Oregon the heavy clay soil, enriched either by nature or by art, 

 the moisture supplied by heaven and not by man, gives a strength of 

 growth to the rose-bushes, and a fulness of substance to the flowers, that 

 can not otherwise be supplied. The even, moderate temperature, the 

 moist air, the gentle, cool winds, the clouds which keep off the too 



