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Expert Opinions: Hartford

ELITOR'S NOTE. - As a sample of the character of the 1919 "American Rose Annual," these extracts from pages 14-19 are published here by permission of the Editor, J. Horace McFarland, Harrisburg, Pa. Large, fragrant flowers, of rich color, and sturdy growth, has the Hybrid Perpetual, ULRICH BRUNNER Municipal Rose-Gardens Hartford, Connecticut, was the pioneer for America; and she builded well. Starting in 1904, in Elizabeth Park, there were laid out one and one-quarter acres. This the author visited first upon his return from a tour among the more prominent rose-gardens in England, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and France. While delighted with the cultural success and magnificent show of varieties, there seemed in the ensemble much to be desired in the matter of treatment and arrangement. This will probably be true of most of the testgardens referred to in the above section, because beauty of landscape effect is not the first thing sought for in a rosegarden made primarily for test purposes, although the more there is of grace and beauty, of charm and enchantment, by reason of the arrangement, of course, the better it is. But Hartford led the way, and nobly continues to render this nation, at least the northeastern part of it, a great service. She showed that even a little public rose-garden, well done, begets enthusiastic public appreciation. Mr. G. A. Parker, Superintendent of Parks, of Hartford, - reports 116,000 people having visited this rose-garden in one year. There are in it three hundred different varieties of roses and about fifteen hundred separate plants, and the cost, both for construction and maintenance, in eleven years has been $0.0173 per visitor. But as for its influence upon, and value to, the people who have come to see it, no money estimates can be made. If any reader feels inclined to doubt this last statement, permit us to suggest that he submit his feelings to the test of a visit.

There are many American cities which have roses in their parks, and these cities are extending their plantings; but as yet only a limited number have definitely set apart, and regularly arranged for, a real rose-garden.