1869.] THE ROSE. . 151 



Paul Ricaut, H. B., was once the swell of the period, the D'Orsay in our beau 

 monde of Roses ; and though no longer a leader of fashion, he is still a very 

 attractive member of society. Upon the tree its large, closely-petalled, rich 

 crimson flowers are most beautiful ; but it is not reliable as a show Rose, ex- 

 panding rapidly, and too often displaying a large " eye," on his arrival at the 

 Exhibition, as though astonished by the splendour of the scene. 



Arclies and arcades are graceful, because natural, forms, quas Natura 

 sua sponte suggenit, as we read in our Oxford Logic, in which to grow 

 varieties of the Eose having long, lissom, drooping branches. All 

 the CKmbing Eoses selected in the preceding chapter, except the 

 Banksian, which must have a wall, are admirable for the purpose — 

 the Ayrshire and Sempervirens being the first to fulfil their mission, 

 covering the framework in two or three summers with their white 

 clustering Eoses and deep - green glossy leaves. Of the Noisettes, 

 Gloire de Dijon, Marechal Mel, and Solfaterre, are sure successes ; 

 Cloth-of-Gold and Lamarque doubtful. M. Niel is specially adapted 

 for this form of Eose-growing, from the pendulous habit of its glorious 

 golden blooms. Walking beneath, you are privileged to see them 

 with all their charms displayed ; and never yet was arch of triumph 

 reared to compare with this in beauty. All the summer Eoses which 

 I have selected for pillars, omitting Paul Eicaut, are equally to be 

 commended for arches also, and soon meet each other upon them 

 when generously and judiciously treated. To the latter I would add 

 Triomphe de Bayeux, Hybrid China, a variety of remarkable vigour, 

 with delicate flowers, resembling those of a Tea-scented Eose, and 

 invaluable in the bud for bouquets and button-holes. 



Where windows and walls are otherwise inaccessible, a long spider- 

 broom, in the hands of an experienced housemaid, is a most efiicacious 

 weapon, and some of us can remember how, in our younger days, we 

 watched its aggressive evolutions with gladness and approbation ; but 

 who would think of cutting it in twain, and of staking the upper half 

 in his Eose-garden ? Yet have I seen objects suggestive of such an 

 operation in those very 



TALL STANDAEDS 



which are still to be found in some collections, but which, were I Czar 

 and Autocrat of all the Eoses, would soon find themselves, like other 

 foolish Poles, in exile. Their appearance is unhappy ; there is no 

 congruity between stock and scion, no union between horse and rider 

 — an exposition, on the contrary, of mutual discomfort, as though the 

 monkey were to mount the giraffe. The proprietors, it would seem, 

 have been misled by an impression that the vigour of the Briar would 



