284 THE EOSE. 



varies in height, according , to the quaKty of the soil it 

 occupies. I have seen it from four to five feet in height 

 on the alluvial borders of streams, while in uplands it 

 seldom exceeds two feet. This shrub has a fine glossy 

 pianate foliage, and flowers of a deep crimson, somewhat 

 larger than those of the sweetbrier. Occasionally a variety 

 is seen with white flowers. The Wild Eose is very com- 

 mon near footpaths through the fields, forming natural 

 clumps, often extending into the enclosures of some rustic 

 cottage. In winter it is easily recognized by the fine 

 purple hue of its smaller branches. 



But this shrub finds no favor except from the lovers of 

 nature. I have seen men employed in "grubbing up" 

 the Wild Eose bushes that skirted the lanes extending 

 from their enclosures to an adjoining wood. A similar 

 vandalism causes them to whitewash theii stone- walls and 

 the trunks of shade-trees, as if beauty consisted in a gloss 

 of art spread over all the works of nature. If we were 

 to carry out the idea of these improvers, we should de- 

 stroy every wilding in the borders of our fields, and 

 plant florists' flowers in spots of spaded earth cut out of 

 the turf. It is fashion alone that causes the florists' roses 

 to be admired more than tKe wild roses of the fields and 

 brooksides. They are, it is true, more splendid and full 

 But who would be pleased to find these petted favorites 

 of gardeners in the rustic lane or the solitary wood-path ? 

 Let them contiuue to be admired in the parterre ; but let 

 not our admiration of their artificial beauty cause us to 

 neglect or despise the simple denizens of the field and 

 forest. 



