166 VAEIETIES AND HABITS. 



The Hybrid Bourbons (R. Gallica). 



These Roses are hybrids from the French or Pro- 

 vence Roses with the Bourbon race. They are more 

 robust in growth than the Hybrid Chinese, and possess 

 a fine broad foliage. They bloom freely, and their 

 large handsome flowers are equally fine when forced 

 under glass as when grown in season in the open. 



Charles Lawson is a good type, a fine pot Rose, 

 and equally useful as a standard or pillar Rose. Prune 

 and treat in a similar manner as recommended for 

 the Hybrid Chinese. 



The White Rose (R. Alba). 



The Alba Rose, introduced in 1597, ranges over 

 the middle of Europe; this group differs from all 

 others and is quite distinct. It is an old-fashioned 

 class of Rose, and is generally found to-day in old 

 cottage gardens. The majority of these Roses are not 

 pure white, but possess a pink flush towards the 

 centre. 



The blooms open rather flat, but are most attract- 

 ive, and are produced in great abundance. The trees 

 require moderate pruning, and are good as either 

 Standards or Dwarfs. It is a very hardy group, and 

 although it responds to liberal treatment, yet it will 

 do well on poor soil. 



The, Austrian Briar (R. Lutea). 



The varieties of this group come from Armenia, 

 Persia, and the Himalaya mountains, also Southern 

 Europe. The blooms are nearly single, and with the 

 exception of Austrian Copper, which is a glorious 

 shade of coppery red, they are yellcw. They all like 

 a dry, light soil, and do best on their own roots, the 

 methods of propagation being to take off suckers at 

 the fall and transplant them into fresh ground. Be- 

 yond the cutting out of dead wood, do not prune, as 

 flowers are born from buds quite close to the tips of 

 the shoots. Persian yellow is a very good type of 

 this group. They are all very hardy, but dislike the 

 smoke of large cities and do best in pure air and 

 genial surroundings. 



