294 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE CHAP. 
in the centre, with splendid long broad smooth 
petals most symmetrically arranged. A_ truly 
magnificent Rose, but really only suitable for 
exhibitors, for it is difficult to grow to perfection ; 
much best as a standard, but tender and requiring 
full protection ; indeed hardly worth growing except 
where the situation and soil are very suitable, for 
though the buds are lovely, it is not free-blooming 
enough to be cultivated for their sake, and it will — 
only retain its point when expanded where it can be 
grown pretty strongly. Nevertheless, I have noticed 
that standards of this variety seem to bear moving 
very well; and will often yield as good flowers the 
first year after transplanting as subsequently. The 
maiden blooms do not come good. 
Comtesse de Nadatllac (Guillot, 1871).—Of dwarf, 
thorny, and, unless thoroughly well treated, weakly 
srowth and foliage; not liable to mildew, but spoiled — 
by rain, though more tolerant of it than some. This 
is a Rose which, despite its small growth and 
generally feeble appearance, is commonly considered » 
second to none as a show Rose, and it is seldom 
that a good stand is shown without it. The habit 
of this variety is peculiar, though that of Princess 
of Wales is somewhat similar. With almost all 
other Roses the finest and strongest shoots give the 
finest blooms, but with this sort it is very difficult 
to tell which will do so. A bud at the end of a very 
small shoot may grow and swell for weeks before 
opening, and will then probably show a bloom that . 
not only for beauty, but also for size, will utterly 
eclipse anything that can be produced from even 
such strong rampant growers as Gloire de Dijon or 
Climbing Devoniensis. If the bud remains hard 
