162 VARIETIES AND HABITS. 



operation of this law will go on producing in the Rose 

 world new creations that in course of time will vary 

 to such an extent that even scientists will only live in 

 an atmosphere of surmise. The grower, professional 

 or amateur, only concerns himself about clearly de- 

 fined groups of Roses, by reason of the special methods 

 of culture that have to be meted out to each group or 

 class, and as long as he can get the best out of each 

 from careful proscribed treatment, what does it matter 

 how narrow is made the dividing line between 

 species, groups, or varieties? You are certain, by 

 hybridisation, to produce new varieties with peculiar 

 habits, and these will be so marked that their likes 

 ^nd dislikes in respect to general culture will have to 

 be studied if good results are to be obtained. What 

 is the result? A new group will be formed, and, like 

 the "Pernetiana Roses," will grow and soon give 

 birth to something else more distinct. 



Good reader, this book is for practical purposes, 

 and you should only look to find in it hints for culture 

 and advice, for selections, planting schemes, and all 

 those particulars that are calculated to assist in the 

 general advancement of the Queen of Flowers. Let 

 me, then, follow the most accepted lines, and divide 

 the Roses of to-day into two classes : Class i. Sum- 

 mer Roses, blooming in May, June, and July. Class 2. 

 Autumn Roses, blooming from May to November, or 

 until frost shall end their- season. These two classes 

 we will divide up into groups, and with each group I 

 will give you a little history and sonie of the general 

 methods to be adopted to ensure good culture, and 

 thus assist the dictionary of Roses to be found at the 

 end of the book. A close study of all the trade cata- 

 logues has been my guide, and, in conjunction with 

 these, Mr. Paul's wonderful book on Roses lias been 

 of the greatest help in matters of reference. 



SUMMER ROSES. 



Under this class come the earliest of all cultivated 

 Roses; Roses of ancient Rome, mediaeval England 



