306 



REMARKS ON ROSES. 



the noral kinp"Jom. "With other flowers, 

 there are various tastes, but with the Rose, 

 there is but one universal sentiment of ad- 

 iniralion, which the lapse of ages has in no 

 degree impaired, and it will go down to the 

 latest period of time, unalterable. 



As Kosesthen arc, beyond all comparison, 

 so fragrant, so varied, and so beautiful, 

 every one who cultivates flowers, must wish 

 to grow them either in small or large col- 

 lections ; and within a few years, so great 

 has been the increase of families and va- 

 rieties from seed, (the latter now amounting 

 t J several thousands,) that at the first glance 

 it would not appear diflicult to select a few 

 or many, as may be desired. But a little 

 reflection will show the entire fallacy of such 

 an opinion, and the attempt to carry it out 

 in practice will soon prove, that the ama- 

 teur is beset with difficulties very trying to 

 his patience, and very unsatisfactory in most 

 cases when the eflbrt is accomplished. It is 

 very easy for nurserymen to multiply names, 

 and to make distinctions without a difference, 

 or with a difl^erence so exceedingly slight, as 

 to escape even close observation. It is also 

 very easy to say that 1253 Roses "comprise a 

 select list, embracing only the most beauti- 

 ful and most estimable," and to talk about 

 " critical investigation " in making it out. 

 These Munchausen expressions are, or ought 

 to be, taken for what they are worth, and 

 mean no more than this — that as the Roses 

 are grown to sell, a little " humbug " may 

 bring customers. We know from expe- 

 rience, that in consequence of the family 

 divisions so perseveringly and unnecessari- 

 ly multiplied in almost every Rose cata- 

 logue, it is exceedingly difficult and discou- 

 raging to arrive at any definite conclusions, 

 and we also know, that if the amateur will 

 strike one thousand from the select list 

 of 1253. he will have left about as many as 

 are really worth Gfrowin"-. 



Now, in our remarks on Roses, we wish it 

 to be understood, that they are based on the 

 combined writings of Riveks, Paul, Lane, 

 Glenny, Godwin, Wood, and several others, 

 all of whom have said more or less upon 

 the subject, and all practical men. Sifting 

 the chaff from the wheat, it is not question- 

 ed that some points may be recognized as 

 the ideas of one or another, nor have we 

 thought it expedient to change their lan- 

 guage, where it is sufficiently plain and di- 

 rect. We wish to make this paper useful, 

 and shall indulge the hope that it may prove 

 so to many of the readers of the Horticul- 

 turist. 



Wlien, for the first time, the amateur de- 

 termines to cultivate Roses, he finds him- 

 self at a loss with regard to the choice of 

 varieties. Whether he grows a few or many, 

 we presume it is his wish to Juive the best, if 

 he can get them ; and he goes to the cata- 

 logues for information, and to make his se- 

 lection. Turning from one to another, he 

 is perfectly amazed to find thousands classi- 

 fied by name, and hundreds as much alike 

 as it is possible for them to be ; yet choose 

 he must, from these uncertain guides, un- 

 less assisted by the experience of others. 

 We say then, try the following, which, al- 

 though not as perfect a list as it is possible 

 to make, Avill, nevertheless, afford very ge- 

 neral satisfaction. 



ROSA GALLICA. Hardy. 

 Self-colored axd shaded. 



^i^nodice. Crimson. 



Beavtc parfaite. Rose color. 



Bortle d\flntenie. Crimson -purple. 



Columella. Deep rose; blush margin. 



Grandissima. Brilliant crimson. 



Kean. Very fine scarlet. 



Madame Damoureati. Dark rose. 



Nelly ■ Fine blush; fawn shaded. 



Orphcline de Juillet. Very dark crimson. 



Phi'dre. Fine flesh color. 



Triomphe de Saussens. Crimson. 



Wellington. Crimson-purple. 

 Variegated flowers. 



.Agla'e Jldanson. Rose, spotted white. 



Due de Bassano. Red, marbled white. 



