i885.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



99 



inches high, or if trained as a tree attains a height 

 of 2,yi to 4 feet, forming heads of surpassing love- 

 liness. 



The "Snowball" has attained and will hold 

 for a long time to come, first place among num- 

 erous claimants for recognition. Unlike many of 

 the so-called " white " varieties, which have really 

 been of a dull gray color and having little frag- 

 rance, this sort is pure white, very full and 

 double and possessed of the true Mignonette odor. 

 Its habit of growth, freedom of flowering, charm- 

 ing color and fragrance, render it an admirable 

 pot plant either for house or dwelling. 



[The above cut appeared in our advertising 

 columns last month ; but we reproduce it again 

 here, in order that it may go with the history of a I 

 variety which, by the samples sent to us, appear to 

 have more than ordinary merit. — Ed. G. M.] 



THE CLASSES OF ROSES. 



BY HENRY B. HAVENS. 



China or Bengal. — A native of China brought to 

 Europe during the eighteenth century. They are of 

 moderate, branching growth, flowers of medium 

 size, and require a rich soil and close pruning. 

 They give a greater quantity of flowers during the 

 season than any other class. 



Bourbon. — A. native of tht Isle of Bourbon. 

 The varieties vary greatly in growth, but most of 

 them are of vigorous habit, and dark lustrous foli- 

 age. The flowers are generally of light shades, 

 and found in clusters, and are especially valuable 

 in the autumn ; those of moderate growth require 

 close pruning, and are useful for low beds on the 

 lawn or for borders. 



Climbing Teas. — This class contains three of 

 our finest climbing roses. Climbing Devoniensis, 

 Gloire de Dijon, and Reine Marie Henriette ; all 

 of vigorous growth when well established. When 

 protected from the wind, and in rich soil, the lat- 

 ter two will bloom continuously from spnng till 

 late in the autumn. 



Hybrid Climbers. — Of modern origin and from 

 various sources, generally sports from Hybrid 

 Perpetuals. In growth not equal to the Climbing 

 Teas, but desirable for Trellis or Pillar roses. 



Hybrid Noisette. — This is a modern group ob- 

 tained chiefly from crosses between Remontant, 

 Bourbon and Noisette roses. The flowers are 

 mostly white, of medium size, and generally of 

 good form. The varieties generally, though not 

 always, bloom in small clusters, and are freely 

 produced until late in the season. 



Hybrid Perpetual or " Remontant." — A most 

 valuable class, and in England, standing at the 

 head of all roses. The first varieties sent out 

 were from crosses of Bourbons, upon Damask 

 Perpetuals and Hybrid Chinas; later crosses were 

 made with varieties of Provence, Damask and 

 French roses, upon Bourbons, Bengals and Teas, 

 and vice versa. Those that are of vigorous 

 growth as in other cases, need much less pruning 

 than those of dwarf habit, for if cut back too 

 severely, they run too much to wood. This class 

 thrives best in rich soil. 



Hybrid Tea. — A new group produced by cross- 

 ing Teas with Hybrid Perpetuals. There are but 

 few varieties now in this class, but the number is 

 fast increasing. This class of roses, on account of 

 its novelty and promise of usefulness, is now look- 

 ed upon with more interest than any other, its best 

 representative being La France — which, with a 

 spicy perfume peculiar to itself, is the sweetest of 

 all roses, and equal to any in profusion of bloom. 



Moss. — Believed to be a sport from the Prov- 

 ence rose, and was introduced from Holland 

 about the beginning of the seventeenth century. 

 They, are distinguished from other roses, by the 

 moss-like substance which surrounds the flower 

 buds and by the marked Provence scent, the 

 shoots are thickly covered with thorns ; as a class 

 they require close pruning, rich soil and high cul- 

 ture. 



Noisette. — This is of American origin, and was 

 sent to France about the year 1817. This group 

 is naturally of vigorous growth and produces 

 large clusters of flowers. Through hybridization 

 with the Tea section the varieties have partially 

 lost the clustering tendency, but the flowers have 

 much more substance, and are far more beautiful ; 

 certainly nothing can surpass a wall covered with 

 Marechal Neil, or Cloth of Gold. One of the best 

 known is Lamarque, which produces an immense 

 quantity of flowers during the season ; and nearly 

 all the fine Tea Noisettes are traced back to this 

 variety. These roses must not be pruned except 

 when it is necessary to cut away shoots altogether. 



Polyantha — Brought from Japan about the 

 year 1865. The foliage and flowers are both very 

 small. The finest variety of this group, Mdlle 

 Cecile Brunner was raised from a seedling of 

 Polyantha, crossed by a Tea ; as a class they are 

 ever-blooming, of slender growth, producing a 

 great quantity of exquisitely beautiful flowers ; as 

 an edging for a bed of Teas they are very effec- 

 tive. 



Prairie. — The Prairie rose is indigenous to the 



