THE GARDEN.

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1921, Page 1

THE GARDEN.

DO PLANTS WE AH OUT ?

Ln reply to a correspondent, the Journal of Horticulture answers the above question in-the affirmative. The. writer supposes the cause to be something akin to that of human beings— general debility. The eon si itution of different varieties has a similar variation; some dying young, others reachinp a" ripe old age. Take, for instance, roses. . Where do we find those robust old trees of Gloire do Dijon that were noted some 30 years hack. And a much more recent variety in William A. Richardson is certainly weakening. Maybe persons have ceased to bostow such care as formerly, because other favourites have taken the Held; still, if one notices the young stock of these, and others,, in nurseries, they will seerfi to be wanting in former vigour.

Varieties of chrysanthemums decay comparatively quickly. Change of stock will do-something towards delaying the end; but the time will conic when favoured kinds absolutely refuse to develop blossoms as fine as those of their best days. Probably (for example) if one could obtain those perfect incurved forms of former days, known as the "Queeas," or the shapely and handsome "C'arnots," no amount of skill would be likely to produce such flowers as we used to admire. A notable cultivator has said that a variety lasts but half a dozen years in its prime. One could, of course, name many that have retained their vigour longer; but, on the other hand, v.'e have only to look round now to find favourite sorts 011 the down grade.

intor-i'i'os.-ihig tends to weakened I'onsti : - utio», and varieties closely

bred seem bound, from our point of view, to become useless sooner or later. There will be "readers • who remember the beautiful show pelargoniums. Through Ihe effect of cross breeds in ohtainiug better sliapa and more striking colours in the flowers, the growth became so enfeebled that not even grafting upon stouter stock -would restore vigour. Disease got Ihe upper hand, and, indeed, they arc now practically out of cultivation. Instances of varieties of flowers wearing out mighl be multiplied indefinitely, and

perhaps it is well for gardening geii' crallv that it is so.