BEST VARIETIES WITH CHARACTERISTICS 



steps, it is sufficient to say that about 1825 the 

 Hybrid Perpetual began to take first place in the 

 rose world. Perfectly hardy, of fine growth, having 

 a longer period of bloom than its predecessors of 

 equal growth and beauty, it became more and more 

 popular, and held its sway until about 1890. Its dis- 

 advantage was its short period of bloom compared 

 with Teas and Chinas which, while very much 

 smaller in growth, were more constant bloomers and, 

 as a general rule, superior to the Hybrid Perpetuals 

 in foliage. 



Tea roses had existed in England and France from 

 early in the nineteenth century, and yet after the 

 cross of the Damask and Hybrid China, which gave 

 the rose world the first Hybrid Perpetual, it was not 

 until 1867 that the first cross of merit between the 

 Teas and the Hybrid Perpetuals made its appearance. 

 At once the rose world obtained what it had so long 

 desired, combining in a seedling the best of both 

 parents, a rose as hardy, or nearly as hardy, as the 

 Hybrid Perpetuals — a rose that bloomed practi- 

 cally as often as the Tea and that had fine foliage and 

 perfume. This rose, the first of the great army of 

 Hybrid Teas which was to follow, was La France, 

 introduced by Guillot Fils, its parents being Madame 

 Victor Verdier and Madame Bravy. Madame Victor 

 Verdier was a Hybrid Perpetual, introduced by E. 



33 



