68 



fully open, it was nearly — not quite, for that is impossible — as 

 bad as Papa Gontier. It went on the rubbish-heap. Souvenir 

 d'Elise, described as "very large, full, and most perfect globular 

 form" is, to my mind, very ugly in form and far too tight. Sun- 

 rise, one of the best and most faithful — for it does not bleach — of 

 the coppers has a poor constitution and wants nursing, but it is 

 worth it. 



Three of the roses in the above list are very much alike, viz. : 

 Marie Van Houtte, White Maman Cochet and The Bride. They 

 are all splendid, but personally I prefer the last. Marie turns a 

 full and rather uninteresting pink at certain times of year, and 

 Maman has a sprawly growth, whereas The Bride is sturdy and 

 upright. For those who esteem size, Maman is the best. 



It must be understood that I am speaking throughout only of 

 what I know. No doubt there are many other roses in this class 

 as good as my best, and here it may be well to add that my own 

 experience is confined to a locality which has an elevation of 

 2,000 feet. 



Among the Bourbons the old Malmaison is always admirable ; 

 strong, free and healthy. 



The Dwarf Polyanthas seem to do well. Perle d'Or is most 

 beautiful, and Leonie Lamesch, which I have not tried, is said 

 (from a safe source) to be a lovely colour. White Pet has a bad 

 manner of growth, and, though it flowers profusely, does not seem 

 quite healthy. 



In ordering roses from England it is, perhaps, as well to note 

 that dwarfs must be asked for in all classes. Of 36 in one con- 

 signment, only one died and owing to the weather, they were the 

 rather unusual time of three weeks on the journey. I see no dif- 

 ference in the health of these English plants, budded on briars, 

 and that of my own cuttings on their own roots, and I find the 

 English names correct, whereas the American names are not 

 always to be depended upon. 



Let no one attempt Briars or Moss roses or Wichurianas ; they 

 will be failures. Also avoid Gloire de Dijon and all its deriva- 

 tives ; they do not like heat, or perhaps it would be more correct 

 to say that they want a winter. Felicite Perpetue is also to be 

 avoided : it will not flower. 



Two of the best roses for Jamaica have dropped out of cata- 

 logues. They are Henry Bennett, a constant bloomer, and its 

 near relation Madame Joseph Schwartz. These are admirable 

 roses in a mixed garden. So are Cramoisi and Gloire des Ro- 

 somanes, Perle d'Or and W. A. Richardson. Other kinds are, for 

 various reasons best by themselves in a garden of their own. If 

 the mixed garden is on a slope, Reve d'Or and Cloth of Gold are 

 useful as heavy screens from sun where shady places are desired, 

 but in a flat garden it is waste to have roses overhead which only 

 the birds see. 



The exquisitely-beautiful Cherokee rose (R. l^vigata) must not 



