THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK. 



About 1810 a little rose from China made its appearance in England. It 

 was known as the blush tea-scented. In 1824 another similar rose ap- 

 peared in the same countrj-, and this, on account of its color, was known 

 as the yellow tea-scented. These two visitors did not seem to take 

 kindly to the bleaker climate of old England, and it was not until they 

 w-ere transported to sunny France that they developed really what was in 

 them. From these two has arisen the group of tea-scented roses. It 

 was about 1830 that these deliciously scented roses came into notice. 

 Gloire de Dijon owes its origin here, but probably with an admixture of 

 the Bourbon rose or some other hardy sort, for this new-comer was un- 

 usual among the tea-scented roses in being hardy. 



Next upon the scene was the hybrid tea, whose recognition as a distinct 

 class was made about 1890. These were produced by crossing the hybrid 

 perpetual and the tea-scented. They have been increasing rapidly and 

 now number many among their ranks. The first hybrid tea is said to have 

 been raised by Messrs. Paul & Son, of Cheshunt, in 1873, ^rid sent out as 

 Cheshunt Hybrid. At first the full meaning of these new hybrids was 

 not realized ; it was not until some years after their first appearance that 

 it dawned upon the people that here was a new race of roses destined to- 

 work startling changes. La France, at one time one of the most popular 

 roses, belongs here, although sent out first as a hybrid perpetual. 



We have now brought the rose up to our own times, the history of 

 which is known to you all. Perhaps it is better not to call these present 

 times history, and so leave the chronicle of our present roses for others. 

 We can see the marvels of recent production beautifully represented in 

 the fine exhibits made at the exhibition now in progress. Here we have 

 the best examples of the cultivator's art. With My Maryland, Killarney, 

 White Killarney, Richmond, and many others it would seem that the pos- 

 sibilities along the line of hybrid teas must be exhausted, but we thought 

 this ten years ago, and were mistaken. What will the next ten years 

 bring to us? 



There are many popular flowers, but what one, other than the rose, can 

 awaken that keen delight, can recall those pleasant memories of childhood 

 when we visited grandmother and reveled in her rose garden. The- 

 rose has its great hold upon us because it touches us nearly at so many 

 points. We can have it indoors or out, summer or winter, and it is 

 always just 



" A rose for every home, 

 A bush for every garden." 



April 13, 19 10 

 The regular meeting of the society was held at the American- 

 Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, April 13, 1910. at 

 4 P.M., Mr. E. B. Southwick in the chair. The minutes of the- 

 meeting of February 9, 19 10, were read and approved. 



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