2 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE CHAP. 
received very nearly every day by post as much as 
and sometimes more than a penny stamp would 
frank, of letters from a gentleman whom I had 
seldom seen, and with whom I had hardly exchanged 
half-a-dozen sentences by word of mouth. This 
too during the winter months, and all about Roses! 
It is pretty well known that another gentleman, 
with a passionate love for Tea Roses, left his home 
in Scotland because he could not grow them there, 
and went searching for a place in Great Britain 
which should be suitable for their culture; and, 
having found such a spot, at very great expense laid 
out and prepared his grounds to form, as they un- 
doubtedly do, the finest amateur Tea Rose garden 
in the country. 
Such instances as these show that the culture of 
Roses is an occupation that sometimes arouses a 
ereat deal of enthusiasm. It will also be seen, from 
the Calendar of Operations (Chap. XIV), that it 
affords work and recreation, the whole year round, 
so that the interest never slackens. And, to anyone 
who lives in the country, is really fond of flowers, 
and ‘‘ wants something to do”’—I have known some 
such—I can strongly recommend the thorough 
culture of Roses as likely to add much to his 
enjoyment of hfe in his garden. 
I may perhaps be excused for thinking that 
Rose-growing as a special pursuit and a hobby is 
particularly adapted for country parsons. No one 
can deny that it is as harmless a pursuit as any that 
can be found, and, without the least neglecting his 
sacred calling if his cure be a small one, he can find 
many half-hours of daylight leisure among his 
Roses, where his parishioners will soon learn to 
