72 THE ROSE GARDEN. 



ROSA GALLICA. 



Group X.— HYBRID CHINESE. 



The Hybrid Chinese Roses have originated from the French and the Provence 

 crossed with the Chinese; or vice versa : they are, therefore, Hybrids. Although 

 called Hybrid Chinese, they partake more intimately of the nature of the French 

 and Provence Roses than of that of their Chinese parent: we therefore arrange 

 them under Rosa Gallica. One feature in particular has conduced to this : they 

 bloom only in June and July; whereas the Chinese are the most protracted 

 bloomers, flowering constantly from June till November. But besides this, they 

 resemble the French Roses more nearly than any other Group, and the unprac- 

 tised eye might confound the two, were it not for certain marks in habit and 

 flowering, which we will now endeavour to point out. 



The Group " Hybrid Chinese" of some Catalogues includes more than the name 

 seems to imply: it embraces those Varieties, also, whose parentage on the one side 

 is of the Noisette and Bourbon. In our arrangement they stand divided into three 

 Groups ; namely, Hybrid Chinese, Hybrid Noisette, and Hybrid Bourbon ; the 

 first of which is the one now under consideration. 



The Hybrid Chinese differ from the French Roses in their growth, which is 

 more diffuse ; in their foliage, which is usually smooth, shining more or less, and 

 retained on the tree later in the year; in their thorns, which are larger, and 

 usually more numerous ; and in their flowers, which are produced in larger clus- 

 ters, whose petals are less flaccid, and which remain in a perfect state a longer 

 time after expansion. These Hybrids are more vigorous in growth than either of 

 their parents, and are in their nature very hardy. There are, therefore, none better 

 for planting in unfavourable situations, or where the soil is poor. 



They require but little pruning, especially the vigorous growers. The heads 

 should be well thinned out in November, and the shoots shortened in to from six 

 to twelve eyes in March. We here allude to the mass only. There are some few 

 which require closer pruning: such are Coupe d' Amour, General Allard, and all 

 those which are particularized in the descriptions as of moderate growth. 



To the cultivator of Roses for exhibition the Hybrid Chinese are altogether in- 

 dispensable, frequently concentrating in the same flower perfection in the desired 

 points of size, form, and fulness. There is also found among them almost every 

 shade of colour. To those who plant Roses chiefly with the view of ornamenting 

 the flower-garden, or to produce effect by masses of flower, there are perhaps none 

 so well adapted to ensure the perfecting of their design, as very many of them 

 form large-headed trees of elegant growth, producing their brilliant-coloured 

 flowers in gorgeous abundance. It is advisable to select these Roses on stems 

 rather above the average height: they are mostly of a pendulous habit, and, when 

 budded on tall stems, the flowers droop gracefully, and are displayed to great ad- 

 vantage. 



