95 



THE PERPETUAL DAMASK EOSE. 



{Rosier Damas afleiirs perpetuelles,) 



This division has as much variety in its origin 

 as in its appearance ; it would, indeed, be a diffi- 

 cult task to trace the parentage of some of the 

 justly esteemed varieties of this family. Our old 

 red and white monthly roses have, no doubt, con- 

 tributed their share of sweet assistance ; for, in 

 many of them the powerful fragrance of these 

 two very old damask roses is apparent, and no 

 perfume can be more pleasing. 



As an old rose lover, one feels regret tliat these 

 once unique and charming autumnal roses must 

 pass away. In fragrance, they are equalled by 

 our next group, and in freedom of blooming in 

 autumn, brilliancy of colour, vigorous growth, 

 and, in short, perfection of all that a rose ca.n be, 

 Hybrid Perpetual Roses infinitely surpass the 

 varieties of this once interesting family. It is, 

 however, quite fit and proper that their history 

 should be given here, or our New Zealanders, 

 A.D. 2500, may be at a loss to know what roses we 

 cultivated in the middle of the nineteenth centmy. 

 I record their qualities with a sentimental sigh 

 worthy of a young lady who has finished reading 

 her first novel. 



Bernard is a most beautiful rose, with rather 

 small flowers; but these are very doulJe and 



