XII MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 259 



earlier stages will cause the young blooms to gum and 

 rot without opening, and will sadly stain the flowers 

 when they are opened. It pays well for protection in 

 showery weather, for it is fine in petal and shape, clear 

 in colour, and large in size. One of the earliest, a very 

 free bloomer, but from its weakness of gi^owth of no use 

 as an autumnal. 



Mrs. Baker (Laxton, 1876).— Of Victor Verdier race, 

 with the usual habits of the family. The brightest of 

 them all in colour, with a beautiful pointed shape, one 

 of the earliest of H.P.s, of large size, but not very 

 lasting in colour or form. 



Mrs. Harry Turner (Turner, 1880). — Of strong 

 characteristic growth with good foliage, but the plants 

 are apt to canker and die back gradually if pruned hard, 

 and the manetti stock should not be used for them. 

 This is perhaps the brightest of all the deep crimson 

 Roses, and would have a great reputation if it had but 

 lasting qualities. Unfortunately the centre is weak, 

 and the whole bloom very short-lived, so that it is 

 hardly possible to show it. A free bloomer and fair 

 autumnal. A grand garden Rose, sure to attract 

 attention by the splendid glow of its colour. 



ifrs. Joh7i Laing (Bennett, 1887). — One of the best 

 half-dozen, apparently, from a similarity in the wood, a 

 seedling from Francois Michelon, but stouter and stiffer 

 in stem with much better foliage. Coming so soon 

 after Her Majesty, this Rose, though not so showy at 

 first sight, was a still greater triumph for Mr. Bennett 

 and English-raised Roses, and was even more worthy of 

 the Gold Medal. In the matter of " coming good," it 

 may strongly dispute the palm with Marie Baumann, 

 for it rarely suffers from any malformation even in the 

 autumn, and whether the season be cold wet and late, 



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