VARIETIES AND HABITS. 165 



best grown as standards, and while they do not make 

 very compact heads, yet the growth is graceful. 



The French Rose (R. GalHca). 



The I'Vcnch Rose, is termed gallica from its being 

 a native of France, although it is found growing 

 abundantly in Italy, Switzerland and Austria. 



It was for a long time a very popular group in 

 France, and numerous varieties were raised that were 

 conspicuous for their striped or spotted petals, which 

 with the brilliancy of the stamens and the peculiar 

 fragrance of the bloom, mark this group as being 

 most distinct. 



From this group is descended the Hybrid Chi- 

 nese, but there is little fear of confusing the two 

 groups, as the differences are very marked. They 

 are very hardy, and require to be thinned out well if 

 fine flowers are sought. In pruning, shorten the 

 shoots to five or six eyes on well ripened wood. Keep 

 the surface of the ground well forked and well 

 manured. 



The Hybrid China Roses (R. Gallica). 



This group has originated from the French and 

 the Provence Roses crossed with the Chinese, and 

 owing to their retaining more of the French Rose 

 characteristics they are classed under Rosa Gallica. 

 They are all strong growers, and most of them make 

 good pillar Roses. Blairii No. 2 is a good example. 



The principal feature is that they bloom only in 

 June and July, whereas the Chinese bloom constantly 

 from June to November. 



Careful pruning is necessary. Tiiin out all old 

 and weak growth, shortening strong shoots according 

 to the variety and its use. 



For the general pruning of varieties six to twelve 

 eyes is advised, although some will require closer 

 pruning, but most need only be cut back to about 

 2 or 3 feet. These Roses are very hardy, and will 

 do well in poor soil, and often succeed in situations 

 where other kinds will fail. 



