On Locality, Soils, &c. 49 



denizens should suffer at their hands, we have no help for it. They have their pets 

 as we have ours. They find much pleasure in the blossoms of their chestnuts, in 

 the agreeable shade of their elms during the sultry months of summer, or by the 

 privacy afforded them by the impenetrable darkness of their fir-trees, as we do in the 

 perfect form and varied tints of our Roses. We cannot rid ourselves of their shade. 

 We have no right indeed to wish to do so. But we might not hesitate to dock their 

 roots should they in their peregrinations enter our domain to gormandise on the pro- 

 vision made for our favourites. This, we think, would be justifiable. We are acting 

 in self-defence. They are robbers and deserve punishment, although it must not be 

 such as to do them permanent injury. Then, again, as to soils : some are sandy, 

 others are clayey, wet, cold, and altogether unfavourable to vegetation. In a word, 

 we cannot always suit our gardens to your Roses ; your Roses must therefore be 

 brought to suit our gardens." 



Those who are free from all these annoyances may think themselves fortunate. 

 The number of complaints of this kind received from amateurs possessing small 

 gardens, which they make their chief source of relaxation and amusement, satisfy us 

 they are great. It must be admitted that localities are often unfavourable, and hardly 

 capable of improvement. This, then, we must endure, and seek the remedy in the 

 choice of varieties, selecting such as our own experience, or that of our friends, 

 points out as succeeding best under such circumstances. It is well known that some 

 kinds of Roses will grow and flourish where others will scarcely exist. Were this fact 

 taken advantage of by those who plant in unfavourable situations or unkindly soils 

 doubtless less failures in Rose-culture would ensue. But it may be said Some of the 

 most delicate in habit are the most beautiful of Roses, and how can we dispense with 

 such ? That the varieties possessed of the most bewitching forms and tints are most 

 difficult of culture is to a certain extent true ; but we opine that a Rose which will 

 flourish and blossom in a doubtful situation, or in an unfriendly soil, is greatly to be 

 preferred for such to one which would only exist there as an unhealthy plant, though 

 the latter were naturally its superior in point of beauty. I have known instances in 

 which varieties of the most delicate growth have been selected, time after time, to 

 occupy the most unfavourable situations, and this against all remonstrance, and the 

 knowledge of the cultivator, bought by experience, that they will not succeed. Varieties 

 are often chosen and planted without paying sufficient attention to their aptitude 

 for the purpose or position they are wanted for, they are chosen because admired 

 most because they are the most beautiful. Now, what are the consequences ? That 

 which should yield pleasure produces by constant failure indifference or disgust, and 

 their culture is abandoned. This is to be lamented, for if circumstances are unfavour- 

 able for the cultivation of particular varieties, others that are likely to succeed should 

 be chosen. And the amateur need not be altogether without his favourite kinds. 

 If unsuited for out-of-door culture in some places they may be grown to perfection 

 G 



