Plate 399. 

 HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSE, LA PRANCE. 



It is now two years since, walking through the gardens of 



M. Guillot j/4s. at Lyons, we were attracted by the appear- 

 ance of a Rose which seemed to us quite new in character, and 

 which only then existed as a seedling. The raiser seemed 

 proud of having obtained it. and predicted that it would be a 

 general favourite when sent out. It is the Rose which we now 

 figure. 



The present season has been probably one of the most try- 

 ing ever experienced by rose-growers. Nothing; could have 

 been more promising than their appearance early in the season, 

 and we all looked forward to a most favourable year, but the 

 long-continued drought effectually spoiled these bright antici- 

 pations. Roses were driven into bloom before they had time 

 to develope themselves, consequently they lacked the size which 

 they would otherwise have attained to, while the intensity of 

 light and heat completely deprived them of their vivid co- 

 louring, especially in the more brilliant varieties ; such kinds 

 as Oniric* Lefebre, Pierre Notting, Madame Victor Verdier, etc., 

 being hardly distinguishable. Nor was this all ; mildew and 

 orange fungus soon began to show themselves, and in many 

 places, especially where the soil has been very dry, they have 

 played great havoc. It is in such a season as this that the value 

 of mulching the ground and well watering it are seen. 



La France has evidently a mixture of Tea and Bourbon blood 

 in it ; its perfume evidences that, as well as its habit of growth, 

 and it is what many of the hybrid perpetuals are. only in 

 name, evidently very free in its autumn flowering- ; it has one of 

 the peculiarities of the Tea Roses, winch slightly detracts from 

 its merits, viz. an inclination In droop its head; this does nol 



