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Roses by a moss-like substance that surrounds the flower 
buds. The shoots are thickly covered with small spines 
or thorns. They are much subject to mildew, like close 
pruning and rich soil. On account of the beauty of their 
buds they are always favorites; their only drawback is 
their tardiness to bloom; being Summer Roses, they 
bloom but once in the season. Salet and Crested Moss 
are best known in this class. 
BENGAL, OR CHINA ROSE. 
This class is a native of China, is of moderate branching 
growth, with foliage and flowers both small; requires a 
rich soil and close pruning. Thus favored, they give 
perhaps a greater quantity of flowers during the season 
than any other class. They have no fragrance, but in 
spite of this they are valuable on account of their crimson 
buds, which are furnished by such sorts as Agrippina. 
A variety of this class has marked peculiarities, 
Viridiflora or Viridiscens. Its peculiarity consists in 
green flowers, which are freely produced ; though curious 
they are not attractive, and have no value except as a 
curiosity. James Sprunt, Louis Philippe and Clara Syl- 
vian are best of this class. What are called Fairy Roses 
are miniature Bengals: they are of no value—the Ben- 
gals are small enough. 
THE AYRSHIRE ROSE. 
This is of English origin, are of slender, rapid growth, 
have five leaflets, often running fifteen or twenty feet in 
one season, and are used for covering buildings or un- 
sightly objects. As we have so many finer Roses that 
answer this purpose in the South, we cannot afford this 
class even the lowly position of climbing over our back 
yard fence. 
