CHAPTER XII 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 



On looking over a good collection of Roses a keen 

 observer, even if he be unlearned in their culture, cannot 

 fail to be struck with the difference observable in what 

 is called the " habit " of each sort, for there is almost 

 endless variety in wood, leaves, thorns, strength, and 

 manner of growth, apart from the blooms themselves. 

 He would also probably notice a good many of what he 

 would call " red " Roses, very much alike to his untrained 

 eyes in general appearance, and he might wonder how 

 they could all be distinguished apart. But as a good 

 shepherd can tell every member of a large flock of 

 sheep by a diligent study of their faces, and an English 

 apple, or even apple-tree without its leaves, can be cor- 

 rectly named by some clever pomologists, so a fairly 

 representative bloom of any Rose can be distinguished 

 by a thoroughly expert Rosarian. 



Descriptions of the difterent varieties are to be 

 found in the catalogues issued by nurserymen, and 

 many of these are now fairly full and accurate. The 

 colour, naturally enough, occupies the principal part of 

 the descriptions : but the different shades, especially of 

 Teas, are very difficult to express to ordinary readers in 

 language that they will clearly understand, for some are 



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