THE ROSE GARDEN. 89 



No. 2-). No. 26. 



Compact. 



Expanded. 



Need 



as on account of holding their flowers perfect a longer time than others, 

 we add the desirableness of varying the colours of the groups ? 



4. Scent. — All Roses should be sweet. We cannot dissociate fragrance and the 

 Rose. 



" The Rose of brilliant hue, and perfumed breath, 

 Buds, blossoms, dies, and still is sweet in death." 



There are, indeed, few kinds altogether scentless, although the degree of fragrance 

 varies remarkably. 



5. Freedom, constancy, and duration of flowering. — Some Roses are most 

 profuse bloomers, presenting a splendid effect on the tree, but when viewed sepa- 

 rately they are poor and flimsy. Others produce a less quantity of flowers at one 

 time, but a regular succession, from which a good Rose may be gathered at 

 almost any time in the season of flowering. Then the flowers of some are very 

 transient, lasting but a day, although others will retain their form and colour for a 

 week. These properties are inherent, for all kinds are not influenced alike by the 

 state of the weather. We should seek to combine those kinds which possess the 

 above-named properties in the most eminent degree. 



The above, then, are a few broad principles, which, duly considered and acted 

 upon, seem likely to lead to the farther improvement of our flower. 



The question next arising is, Do certain properties proceed more from the one 

 parent than from the other ? and, if so, which and what are they ? If we could 



{Div. I.) q 3 



