GENERAL CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 83 



young leaves, a little ruby-tipped bud. This little plant 

 had been the object of long and careful nursing, and her 

 attention Mas now about to be rewarded by a fine and 

 perfect bloom. 



In France, however, is the Rose a preeminent object of 

 horticulture, both in commercial establishments and in 

 l)rivatc gardens. The skill of the French has originated 

 many new and beautiful varieties, which are to be found 

 in several of the nurseries in the United States. The 

 French are constantly searching for improvements in hor- 

 ticultural science and practice, with an enthusiasm rarely 

 found in the more cold Englishman, whose skill seems to 

 consist less in the creation of new varieties, than in grow- 

 ing i)erfectly those already known. None, indeed, can 

 surpass the English in the art of growing fine plants, but 

 we are chiefly indebted to the French for the finest new 

 varieties of the Rose. 



In Great Britain, although comparatively little attention 

 has been paid to the obtaining of new varieties, the culture 

 is more careful and the nomenclature more correct. The 

 competition excited by their numerous horticultural ex- 

 hibitions causes great attention to be given to correct 

 nomenclature and to symmetrical habit of growth. AVe 

 can ima<»-ine nothinij: more beautiful than some of the 

 plants that we saw at the exhibitions of the London Hor- 

 ticultural Society at Chiswick; every plant was pruned, 

 trained and grown, after a:i ideal, but perfect model, with 

 its close and luxuriant foliage, its thrifty, symmetrical 

 habit, and the thick, leathery petals of its well-cupped 

 flower. This high standard should bo introduced into 

 every Society, and if such were the case in this country 

 and the rule were carefully obeyed, the character of our ex- 

 hibitions would in a short time be very materially changed. 



T. Rivers is one of the most extensive rose cultivators 

 in England, and is also known as the author of a very ex- 

 cellent descriptive work on the Rose. He has also been 



