170 THE ROSE. 
shall make further study of the slight differ- 
ences which exist between the varieties so as 
to determine the best; we hope to have the 
aid of others in this matter. 
How TO DISTINGUISH VARIETIES.—Old 
rosarians may need no instruction in this 
matter, but we believe some useful hints may 
be given to amateurs who find difficulty in 
ascertaining the difference which exists be- 
tween varieties that resemble each other. 
The chief value of such knowledge is in the 
power given of determining what sorts should 
be retained as the best of their type, and 
what rejected as similar but inferior to them. 
The flower is naturally the first to claim our 
attention; observe first the color, second the 
form, degree of fulness, and size, third the 
fragrance. Next, examine the vigor and 
habit of growth, whether the shoots are up- 
right or spreading; the joints between leaf- 
stalks, whether close together (short joints), 
or widely separated (long joints); the thorns, 
whether they be many or few in num- 
ber, their thickness, length, color, whether 
straight or hooked; the leaf-stalks and foliage, 
whether the leaflets be five, seven, nine, or 
eleven in number; the color of the foliage 
and bark, sometimes dark green, sometimes 
pale, occasionally brown or red; further, 
