222 THE ROSE. 
acteristic features in common; thus, varieties 
of the same type will nearly always effect 
good crosses, as General Jacqueminot with 
Xavier Olibo, Madame Victor Verdier with 
E. Y. Teas; but, on account of a certain re- 
semblance which must prevail among the 
kinds of one type, we are less likely to obtain 
new sorts of any marked individuality than 
would result from hybridizing varieties of one 
group by those of another not too widely 
separated group; in other words, we should 
avoid the extremes of crossing varieties too 
much alike, and of hybridizing one kind by 
another so widely removed in characteristics 
that a successful, healthy progeny cannot re- 
sult. Here is a vast field still largely unex- 
plored in which to study and experiment. 
This is not a matter to be confined to scien- 
tists; all who truly love roses, all that have 
some knowledge of their individual peculiar- 
ities, may engage in this fascinating pursuit 
with probabilities of success. 
“This is an art 
Which does mend nature, change it rather; but 
The art itself is nature.” 
A common error committed by the beginner 
is in attempting to grow varieties that are of 
delicate habit and feeble constitution. At- 
