254 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE chap. 



by the raisers, it was heartily welcomed as the finest 

 white H.P. yet known, for it supplied just what was 

 wanting in Merveille de Lyon, long petals forming a 

 good point in the centre ; and a pointed white H.P. of 

 good size was unknown. It is a good illustration 

 of the impossibility of describing the manners and 

 customs, merits and failings, of any variety till it has 

 stood the test of some years' experience, that up to the 

 time of writing English growers have generally failed 

 to get blooms of this variety approaching in excellence 

 those which are still so well shown by Messrs. Dickson. 

 A considerable improvement in this respect has taken 

 place in 1894 ; over-projmgation has been known to act 

 prejudicially on a Rose ; and it will be a great gain 

 if we can all grow such specimens of Margaret Dickson 

 as those which won the Gold Medal. It is very strong 

 and vigorous in growth, with fine foliage sadly liable 

 to mildew, fair in freedom of bloom but rather a 

 poor autumnal. 



Marguerite Boitdet (Guillot, 1888). — Of small weak 

 growth, and only suited for exhibitors. The blooms 

 are most delicate and easily injured by damp, but 

 sometimes a very fine and first-class flower is produced. 

 Marguerite de St. Amaiul (Jamain, 1864). — Of fair 

 thorny growth, with good foliage, very green in the 

 spring. Not liable to mildew nor much injured by a 

 little rain. The blooms almost always come Avell, of a 

 delightfully fresh pink colour, and regular but open 

 and rather flat shape, well filled in the centre. One 

 of the best of its colour, early, free blooming and a good 

 autumnal, of large size and good lasting quality. It is 

 an unfortunate custom of this Rose to be particularly 

 palatable to rabbits, who will search out and attack it 

 first among a large collection. 



