CHAPTER XII 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 
On looking over a good collection of Roses a keen 
observer, even if he be unlearned in their culture, 
cannot fail to be struck with the difference observ- 
able in what is called the ‘‘ habit’’ of each sort, for 
there is almost endless variety in wood, leaves, 
thorns, strength, and manner of growth, apart from 
the blooms themselves. He would also probably 
notice a good many of what he would call “red” 
Roses, very much alike to his untrained eyes in 
general appearance, and he might wonder how they 
could be all distinguished apart. But as a good 
shepherd can tell every member of a large flock of 
sheep by a diligent study of their faces, and an 
English apple, or even apple-tree without its leaves, 
can be correctly named by some clever pomologists, 
so a fairly representative bloom of any Rose can be 
distinguished by a thoroughly expert Rosarian. 
Descriptions of the different varieties are to be 
found in the catalogues issued by nurserymen, and 
many of these are now fairly full and accurate. 
The colour, naturally enough, occupies the principal 
part of the descriptions: but the different shades, 
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