Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-31
A BLUE ROSE HAS
BEEN GROWN At LAST
New York Times.

The announcement was made few days
ago in London paper that perfect blue
rose had been received from America at
Kew Gardens. There was nothing in the
short notice aside from the mention that
the rose was considered a botanical curl
osity, to indicate that the flower. a perfect
blue. marks an epoch in rose culture.
Among the faddists in the growing Of
the rose II has been for ages the sought
for color. Not that there would be any
particularly large money reward, but
there seems to be some allurement In the
hope that their name may go down in
botanical history trailing after a Latin
prefix as the grower Of "a perfect blue"
In other countries and In bygone years
things were different as 10 the monetary
rewards for successful growing Of floral
monstrosities. This was notably the case
in the Netherlands during the early part
OF the seventeenth century. The country
went mad over the tulip. and large bo-
muses. in cash were offered for the produc-
ton Of perfect specimens Of the different
varieties. especially true black. And one
instance Is recorded where 1900 forms
was paid for a single plant.
While the growing Of these floral freaks
has always been a matter OF much inter
est TO botanists. IL has been luxury with
which the commercial florist. no matter
how enthusiastic could not afford to toy
raising Of varieties for which there is a
well known public demand. Thus expert
mentation has become a monopoly enjoyed
by private botanical students and those
at the head Of botanical gardens and the
Conservatives attached TO private estates.
And. like the preliminary work on in
ventions in other lines, the experimental
botanist surrounds his work with a shroud
OF secrecy. seemingly fearful of the loss
Of his idol or that some one may steal the
secret OF fits rearing. Thus, while the
announcement states that the rose came
from this side, its existence in this coun-
try was not suspected by any of the ex-
perts in rose culture interviewed.
The cultivation of the blue rose has long
been considered an impossibility. "A
seeker after blue roses" is an old phrase
signifying the unattainable. But such won
derful things have been done with the rose
in the way of cultivation, enlargement.
beauty. and fragrance that II Is not sur
prising that ambitious rose culturists
should strive for this high goal.
One head gardener. in speaking of the
matter, said that IL did not surprise him
that the blue rose had been grown at last
There have. according to him, always
been some few enthusiasts working to that
end. Probably their patience had at last
been rewarded.
For you must understand" he contin-
ued, that the perfection Of such a rose
means much-the work Of lifetime. Even
the attempted cultivation of such a mon
strosity presupposes a premiership in the
ranks Of bOtanists. II involves an age of
personal experience and knowledge of
tho continued experiences of others along
the same line.
Years and years of individual expert
ment. grating and regrafting, budding
and rebuilding. crossing and recrossing
with endless varieties, all the while keep
ing minute records Of the habits of the
plant in its different stages. fits varying
color this time nearer approach to the
cherished blue. and then again a casting
on: at times in the seventh heaven of &C.
stacy over some slight indication of ad-
vancement toward the goal, only to be
cast into the nethermost depths Of despond
by the contrariness of the next cross.