xii MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 221 



forms, but the petals are very closely curved inwards 

 in the centre in a manner that proclaims the variety at 

 once. Nevertheless it should be noted that on better 

 soil than mine it does come regularly of semi-imbri- 

 cated form, and is then a fine flower. Like some others 

 somewhat of this shape, and those of the pointed form^ 

 this Rose has the good custom of closing in and guard- 

 ing its centre more tightly in hot weather when it 

 is most needed than at other times. A free bloomer, 

 rather late, good in lasting qualities and as an autumnal, 

 but not very large. It has produced a seedling, Lady 

 Arthur Hill (Dickson, 1889), of a novel shade of colour, 

 but not large enough. 



Bcnoit Comtc (Schwartz, 1883). — Very distinct in 

 foliage and habit, and much liable to mildew. The 

 growth is long and strong, but the flowers, which are 

 among the very latest to open, have been very poor 

 with me. 



Blach Prince (W. Paul and Son, 1886).— Of fair 

 growth and fine foliage, and occasionally gives quite a 

 good dark bloom, but so rarely that I am forced to 

 look upon it more as a pretender than a prince. 



Botde dc Ncige (Lacharme, 1867). — A cross with the 

 Noisette class, of good growth and foliage, hardy and 

 strong, doing well on the manetti or as a standard. 

 The blooms come in clusters, after the Noisette fashion, 

 and are sometimes distorted. They should not be 

 thinned, or the probability of malformation will be 

 increased. The N.R.S. Catalogue gives the shape as 

 " open cupped," but with me the blooms are imbricated, 

 perfect Rosettes in every sense. A pure white charm- 

 ingly shaped Rose, but it is an abuse of even catalogue- 

 English to call it medium-sized, as it is impossible to 

 deny that it is very small. If it were of full size, we 



