LILACS 
Left, graft-blighted; center, own-roots; right, grafted on privet 
In the cut comparing root growth, two of our own-root 
lilacs are at the center; at the right are two lilacs grafted 
on privet, no roots above the graft; at the left are three 
bushes badly affected by graft-blight, not worth planting. 
Dear Friends: 
On the front page I wrote a few serious lines in tribute to a great man. Now 
I would like to put aside the seriousness and write you just a friendly letter. 
For many years I have been wrapping packages that went out from Rockmont 
Nursery. It may not be possible for me to wrap your package this year, but I am going 
to see that in every package, we wrap a little more value than we ever wrapped before. 
But what I really wanted to write about is lilacs. I honestly believe that here at 
Rockmont we have one of the finest collections of French Hybrid Lilacs in the United 
States. Owing to insufficient stock many kinds are not listed in the catalog. 
Propagating own root lilacs is a slow process. We might step along six or eight times 
as fast by grafting but we have found grafted lilacs very unsatisfactory and that they 
are nearly always disappointing to the purchaser. 
All lilac stock sent out from this nursery is own root stock and none of it has ever 
been grafted. 
If you have a garden and are a lover of beautiful flowers you are missing very much 
if you are not growing a few good lilacs. No other plant will add so much to the beauty 
and attractiveness of your home nor give you as much satisfaction and pleasure. Once 
planted own root lilacs live and continue to become more beautiful with the passing of 
many years. 
With sincere best wishes to you all. 
ROY P. ROGERS. 
