Two kinds of people use the stars. The first romanticize their beauty and dream by them, the second use them to steer their course by. It is much the same with roses. There is much to be done in this world to beautify both the garden and spirit of our fellow man with roses.

We can devote our time to simple enjoyment of the joys we have found in roses or we can set about the vitally important task of bringing this pleasure to more people. With a new year unfolding before us we might well take stock and see which path we have followed in the past and if we are willing to enrich the lives of our fellow men by following the second course.

If we find the challenge of the latter course inspiring there is one factor which will help greatly in gaining successful results. That is the importance of retaining an affirmative attitude. I used to hate the fact that my garden soil is full of rocks until I found these came in mighty handy when I issued forth with my trusty sling-shot to ward off the innumerable rabbits which plagued our new rose plants.

The soil is still rocky but I have rearranged the rocks considerably and at the same time have made life miserable for the rabbits if not decimating their population. We cannot overcome all the obstacles in our way, but we can sometimes make these obstacles stepping stones to success, whether it be in our personal lives or our rose society.

We cannot hope to instill in others an enthusiasm for new desert roses if we do not manifest what roses such as adenium ice pink have done for us. I am reminded of the farmer who was possessed of a pessimistic attitude. When a neighbor commented on the fine stand of grain he had in his fields he protested that while it was a bountiful crop it would probably be ruined by rain before he could harvest it.

Later, after the crop had been successfully harvested and a good profit realized, the neighbor complimented the farmer on his good for- tune. “Well,” he sighed, “it was a good season right enough, but a crop like that sure takes a lot out of the soil.” Lets start the year out realizing we have accomplished only part of what we hope to do in our rose garden and landscape, that there will be disappointments and some failures before this year is over but we can accomplish much for both ourselves and for our plants and home if we tackle the job ahead with optimism.