ROSES THAT BLOOM THE WHOLE SEASOX. 169 



ROSA MICROPHYLLA, 



OR SMALL-LEAVED ROSE. 



There is notliing in the whole family that we 

 have been engaged upon, so distinctive in flower 

 and character as this group. The plants of the 

 true Microphjlla Rose are very beautiful ; when 

 in foliage, their small pinnated leaves are so unlike 

 any other plant (except perhaps a locust-tree in 

 miniature) that they are both interesting and 

 agreeable. It has been known twenty-five years 

 in Europe, having been brought from China, and 

 supposed by some to have originated in that 

 country from the old Maccrrtney Rose. I consider 

 it, however, a distinct species, in every particular ; 

 and this can be proved by any of my readers who 

 may be fortunate enough to save seed from it. 

 The produce (if not intermixed with others) will 

 be pure Microphylla roses, retaining the character 

 of foliage, spiny calyx, with single, half double, 

 and perfectly double flowers, nearly all of a dark 

 rose color. The first of this rose, as we believe, 

 was imported by us in 1830, and it is now exten- * 

 sively cultivated in every section of the countrj-. 

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