CHAPTER XIII 



SELECTIONS 



This must always be the most unsatisfactory part of 

 a Rose-book, both to the author and the reader. In 

 the first place, the compiler of a selection feels, or 

 ought to, that he has at least one or two favourites 

 which he places in a higher position than most of his 

 brother Rosarians do, and that there are perhaps as 

 many popular sorts that he does not succeed with. His 

 own situation, soil, or climate h-as probably more to do 

 with this, in most cases, than actual personal pre- 

 dilections. 



Next, a certain number of new Roses, issued within 

 the last three years, have to be dealt with ; and, their 

 quality and characters being not yet established, it is 

 difficult to know what to do with them. Great mis- 

 takes, either way, may be made in attempting to rank 

 them too soon, but on the other hand it seems im- 

 possible to ignore notable issues. I have therefore 

 only included varieties sent out later than 1891 where 

 there seems to be a character already established. 



And also no one who makes a selection of Roses can 

 shut his eyes to the fact that such a list, especially if 

 given in order of merit, must be of very ephemeral 

 value. New Roses, working their ^vay to the front, not^ 



