XII MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 225 



the largest size, sometimes even inclined to be coarse, 

 good in petal and centre. The shape, which is rather 

 open, is fairly lasting, but the colour soon gets dull, and 

 is much lighter on weaker plants : a free bloomer but 

 not so good an autumnal as some of the family. The 

 variety is especially liable to sport. Pride of Reigate, 

 Pride of Waltham and others having already appeared. 

 A white sport of this variety, of which Pride of Reigate 

 gave some hope, would be an acquisition. 



Gomtesse de Serenye (Lacharme, 1874). — Of fair 

 growth and foliage, rather liable to mildew, and easily 

 spoiled by rain. A very free bloomer and good 

 autumnal. This is a Rose with awkward manners, for it 

 has great possibilities and can be very fine when it 

 chooses, but it is one of the " coarse " varieties, too full 

 in petal, in regard to which the stronger you grow them 

 the worse they are. On a maiden growth, especially if 

 the buds be thinned, the survivor will often be a most 

 unsightly object, and indeed it is very seldom that a 

 large bloom will come without distorted shape ; but on 

 the side-shoots of a cut- back in a dry autumn flowers of 

 a beautiful " globular imbricated " shape may be got, of 

 good lasting qualities. 



Coicntess of Rosebcry (Postans, 1879). — Of long strong 

 growth, with distinct smooth wood and fair foliage. A 

 little liable to mildew but not much injured by rain. 

 The blooms do not come very well, only a small 

 percentage being quite regular in the shape, which is 

 somewhat open. The petals are good and very smooth 

 and a capital specimen may be had occasionally, though 

 not of the largest size. Only fair in freedom of bloom, 

 and not first-class as an autumnal. Duchess of Fife is 

 a light coloured sport of this variety. 



Crown Prince (W. Paul & Son, 1880).— Of good 



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