THE 



GARDEH GUIDE. 



Octobee, 1864. 



EOSES IN 1864. 



OSES of recent introduction are not only, for the 

 most part, superior to the varieties hitherto held to 

 he the best, but so much in advance of the ave- 

 rage quality of those they superseded, that since 

 1859 the catalogues have been almost wholly re- 

 volutionized, at least, in the section devoted to 

 hybrid perpetuals. The roses that then held 

 sway are nowhere to be found, except in old 

 gardens; a certain few, however, of the old types 

 still maintain their ancient prestige in the estima- 

 tion of rosarians, and these survivors of many 

 changes but too plainly testify that it is not fashion, but merit, that has 

 secured the acceptation of the novelties. 1862 was the great year in 

 modern times for new roses, and a large proportion of those then 

 introduced are among the best roses we now possess. 1863 added its 

 quota to the lists, but 1864 nearly equals 1862 in the number and 

 general excellence of the new roses. It is interesting to notice too, 

 that as roses come in batches chronologically, so they come in batches 

 as respects colour and other qualities ; but probably this circumstance 

 is to be considered accidental, and to attempt to connect it with any 

 law might be simply to give reins to the fancy. Certain it is, however, 

 that as in 1S62 seedlings of the General Jacqueminot type abounded, and 

 in 1863 those of the Madame Crapelettype were nearly as numerous, so 

 in 1864 our attention is called to consider the respective merits of a num- 

 ber of roses, more or less related to Victor Trouillard or Louis XIV., as 

 types. It is scarcely metaphorical language to say that during the 

 past three years new roses have rushed upon us like a flood, and the im- 

 petuosity of their descent has carried out of sight, and in some cases out 

 of mind also, many varieties that previously were in the highest repute. 

 We have before us, at the present moment, the excellent catalogues of 

 roses published respectively by Mr. Cranston, of King's Acre, Hereford, 

 TOL. VII. — no. x. l 



