VARIETIES AND HABITS. 171 



extent Class I., summer flowering Roses, and Class 

 II., autumn flowering Roses, overlap, hut for general 

 purposes these two classes divide up the ranks of the 

 Queen of Flowers, and help to set before the grower 

 a classification of species which without such divisions 

 would be hard to set in order or group for review. I 

 do not intend to divide up Vhe groups more than is 

 necessary, and therefore must crave the indulgence of 

 the super-critical if I omit some, or combine small 

 groups with others that will admit of the combination. 



After all, as already explained, this book deals 

 with Roses in commerce, and then with the practical 

 side of Rose growing ; so that sub-divisions are of 

 small importance, and not to be looked for in this 

 work. 



Hybrid Perpetual Roses. 



Before the Hybrid Tea became so popular and the 

 Tea Roses multiplied into so many varieties, the 

 Hybrid Perpetual held the field and contested all 

 comers. Their origin, w'hich is from many sources, 

 many unknown, hardly will interest the reader; yet 

 this work would not be complete without more than 

 a reference as to their history. The first varieties 

 were raised by M. Laffay from Hybrid Bourbon Roses 

 or Hybrid Chinese and Damask Perpetuals. 



Princess H^l^ne, introduced in 1837, was the first 

 notable variety. Then followed Queen Victoria in 

 1840. Then a number of other varieties were listed in 

 the trade catalogues, but many of these bore marked 

 resemblances to one or other of the parent groups, 

 and the distinctions were of a minor character. A 

 good deal of chance work was undertaken, and the 

 French Rosarians Who sent out most of the first 

 varieties could not with certainty give any parent or 

 groups. Nevertheless, the rich colours, wonderful 

 scent and sturdy foliage, soon brought this new col- 

 lection into favour, and grown in our own country 

 they developed a sound constitution and showed their 

 true worth. This resulted in our growers working 



