422 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Thoriiless Roses. 



Thornlessness in roses is certainly a great point in their favor if 

 such a thing is possible. It has been said that "every rose has a 

 thorn," and while this may be true, or nearly so, there is some modifi- 

 cations to be added to the statement when some roses are taken into 

 consideration. No one dislikes the thorns or prickers on bushes more 

 than I do. N'one can appreciate their absence any better. 



The other day when I picked up a withered rose on my office 

 counter and was severely pricked by it I was prompted to write this 

 article. Some of the best and most beautiful roses grown are very 

 thorny and while they should by no means be discarded or objected to 

 on account of this, we must, however, acknowledge it as a fault. We 

 have been growing a number of choice Hybred perpetual roses on our 

 trial grounds the past several years, and have had ample time and op- 

 portunity to note their peculiarities. 



The Paul Neyron comes the nearest to being a thornless plant that 

 we have. The canes or stalks, as well as their branches, are very free 

 indeed, from prickers, and the wood is handsome, with a beautiful 

 smooth finish. The leaves are large, clean and glossy, and the flower 

 is perfectly magnificent. It is claimed that this rose is the largest rose 

 in cultivation. Its color is a clear deep rose, and the fragrance is ex- 

 quisite, and taking into consideration these many valuable points, we 

 see that it is a grand rose ; being perfectly hardy and vigorous, it can 

 be safely recommended for general planting, and should be in the col- 

 lection of every amateur and professional florist. 



The beautiful English rose, Mrs. Laing, is very much like the Paul 

 Neyron in this particularity, being free from briers or thorns, produc- 

 ing beautiful pink flowers on long stems in great profusion, continu- 

 ously through the entire season. This is the purest perpetaal rose we 

 have even tried or heard of and pleases all who give it a fair trial. 



Jno. M. Wise, Freeport, Ills. 



