THE ROSE GARDEN. 15 



although they are only retarded. But it is very possible that I may yet offer you 

 some good Roses, especially of the Hybrid Moss, for I intend to make a sowing 

 of several thousands of seeds of these varieties. Thus I presume that my seed- 

 plot will be worth visiting for some years to come. I am persuaded that in 

 future we shall see many beautiful Roses, which will efface all those that we 

 admire now. The Mosses will soon play a grand part in Horticulture." 



It is somewhat remarkable, that while M. Vibert's operations have produced 

 chiefly French and Provence, and, of late years, a few varieties of Moss Roses, 

 the results of M. Laffay's labour have been chiefly visible among the Hybrid 

 Chinese and Hybrid Perpetuals. We can only account for this by supposing 

 each cultivator to have had his favourite group, which he strove to improve. 

 I should think one half of the Hybrid Perpetual Roses at present grown have 

 originated with M. Laffay. 



The trade of cultivating Roses in France is in the hands of many individuals ; 

 and to visit that country with the view of forming a collection is (I speak from 

 experience) a laborious undertaking. As far as my powers of observation serve 

 me, I should think the establishments where they are grown for sale, in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Paris, vary in extent from one to five acres ; and there are others, 

 situate in various parts of France, nearly all of like extent. It is thus that English 

 amateurs, who may chance to visit any of them, are usually disappointed, owing 

 to the contrast of their Rose Gardens with those of England, which are much 

 more extensive. The most splendid collection in France is that in the Jardin du 

 Luxembourg at Paris, which is under the superintendence of Monsieur Hardy. 

 Most of the plants there are of some age, and flower most profusely in the season. 

 It is true they look rather drawn ; but when we consider their proximity to the 

 heart of the city, it is surprising that they flourish so well.* 



M. Hardy is no stranger in the Rose world : one of his varieties alone 

 (Madame Hardy) would have sufficed to render his name popular ; but he has 

 been fortunate enough to raise many others of first-rate properties, some bearing 

 the after appellation of" Du Luxembourg." And how could it be otherwise, when 

 he has devoted so many years to the cultivation of this flower, and raised so many 

 thousands of seedlings ? He has never practised selling his Roses, but exchanges 

 with his friends for other plants. The Roses in the Gardens of the Luxembourg are 

 seen from the public promenades ; and M. Hardy is very courteous to foreigners. 



* Every one who has visited Paris will not fail to have remarked the clean appearance of the 

 buildings, compared with those of London, which is due to the burning of wood instead of coal. 

 It is the extensive use of the latter which exerts so injurious an influence on vegetation in or 

 near London. I recollect, upon one occasion, seeing a Honeysuckle and a Rose growing up a 

 house in a street in Paris, the name of which I do not remember, but it was not far from the 

 Hotel de la Monnaie. Both looked flourishing ; and the Rose, which was of the Sempervirens 

 kind, was in bloom. Independent of its appearing to thrive there, a second cause for surprise 

 was, the fact of its remaining untouched, which it apparently had done for a length of time, and 

 did, to my knowledge, for five or six days, although within reach of every passer by. 



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