THE FRENCH ROSE. 41 



satisfaction to know, that if their choice should rest on this group, their efforts are 

 not likely to end in failure. Undoubtedly, there are other groups equally hardy, 

 and these we shall point out as they come before us. None can be more beautiful 

 than the French Roses. All hues are here, and the flowers are remarkable for their 

 brilliancy, fulness, perfect outline, and regularity in the disposition of the petals. 

 Hence it will be inferred, that they are well adapted for growing for exhibition ; 

 and such is the case. But is there no other quality desirable ? Yes, one — sweet- 

 ness — and it is added to the rest. 



In this group are to be found many interesting striped, marbled, and spotted 

 Roses, singularly beautiful, and which, although highly popular in France, do 

 not seem to suit the taste of English Rose cultivators. To see them in perfection, 

 they should be viewed early in the morning before a summer's sun has dimmed 

 their beauty ; for the colours of these Roses, in particular, fly at the Fire King's 

 approach, when the contrast often becomes too feeble to please. 



The French Roses approach nearer to the Provence than to any other group : 

 they are distinguished from them by a more upright and compact growth ; the 

 prickles are also smaller and less numerous, and the flowers are more flat. 

 The Hybrid Chinese are descended from these, but there is little fear of con- 

 founding the two. 



French Roses form fine low Standards ; in which manner they are displayed 

 to great advantage. In pruning, the heads should be well thinned out, as they 

 are disposed to produce an abundance of shoots, far more than can be suffered to 

 remain, if fine flowers, combined with the ultimate good of the tree, are the chief 

 ends in view. Thin out the heads well ; then, when pruning, shorten the shoots 

 left, back to four, five, or six eyes, or to where the wood is firm and well ripened, 

 and the eyes full and plump. 



1. A rameaux sarmenteux ; flowers rose striped with lilac, of medium size, 



semi-double. Raised at Angers. Introduced in 1845. 



2. A fleurs de Rose-Tremiere de la Chixe ; flowers rosy crimson, petals 

 {Tremiere de la Chine) edged and mottled with blush, large and double ; form, 



cupped. Habit, branching ; growth, moderate. A pretty Rose. 



3. A fleurs et feuilles marbree ; flowers blush, prettily marbled with rose, 



sometimes beautiful, of medium size, full ; form, compact. Habit, 

 erect ; growth, small ; leaves occasionally spotted with yellowish 

 green. 



4. Abaillard ; flowers rose, marbled, of medium size, full. Raised at Angers. 



Introduced in 1845. 



5. Abbe Berleze ; see Berleze. 



6. Abbe Robert; flowers purplish crimson, very large and full. 

 (Amy Robsart) 



7. Abbesse ; flowers crimson, occasionally spotted with white, large and very 



double ; form, compact. 

 (Div. II.) i 3 



