XIV INTRODUCTION. 



splendor that lialloAvs its name. We could date a 

 period when we were nearly exclusive in its cul- 

 ture in this vicinity, but it would be now rather 

 difficult to find one who is not in it; all buy or 

 grow roses. It occapies a few leisure hours, and 

 to the female it is a boon when the taste is led 

 to cultivate, propagate, and compare, the merits 

 of her different favorites that adorn the parterre, 

 ot festoon the piazza. Every lady should be 

 capable of budding, and it only requires a trial to 

 pro^e that it can be readily accomplished; her 

 objects of amusement and pleasure are thereby 

 multiplied. 



The first season after planting, roses do not, in 

 general, flower in all the perfection to which they 

 can be brought after one or two years' growth, 

 taking that time to become thoroughly established. 

 A few of the new kinds have bloomed but once; 

 a very accurate description of such can scarcely 

 be expected ; and, in some instances, it may here- 

 after appear that I have not done full justice to 

 their real merit. Amateurs have hitherto found 

 great difficulty in selecting from tlie catalogues of 

 nurserymen. This treatise, we hope, may be found 

 of service in assisting them to form their collec- 

 tions; and the index of names, referring, as it does, 



