iuviiiw. 233 



REVIEW. 



The Rose Fanciers Manual.— By Mrs. Gore. 12mo, pp.434. 



London, 1838. 



In the preface, Mrs. Gore informs us that she has undertaken 

 this work " for the use of the inexperienced English amateur; 

 and, in order to make it practically available, scientific terms 

 have been, as far as possible, laid aside, and the simplest form 

 of language adopted." (p. vi.) In the remainder of the pre- 

 face, we are informed that, though roses are easier of propaga- 

 tion in France they attain their highest perfection in England; 

 in proof of which, reference is made to the nurseries of the 

 principal Engilsh rose growers. The rose attains a larger size 

 in England, from the comparative moderation and humidity in 

 the climate ; and the blossom of any individual kind of rose 

 remains a longer time expanded in our cloudy atmosphere, than 

 under the intense heat and light of a Continental sun, unob- 

 6cured by clouds or mists. 



** Th» real source of the eminence of the French in the culture of roses, 

 is the fact that it absorbs the almost exclusive attention of their horticultu- 

 rists. The high price of fuel places the cultivation of the tender exotics (bj 

 which English amateurs ere chiefly engrossed) almost out of the question ; 

 and, as the French adhere to the wise custom of repairing to their country 

 seats in May, and quitting them in December, their attention and money are 

 appropriated to the improvement of such plants as adorn the flower-garden- 

 during the summer season. They care little for any that cannot be brought 

 to perfection in the open air; and precisely the same motive which promotes 

 the cultivation of the dahlia iu England, has brought the rose to greater 

 perfection in France. 



" The first impulse was given to the culture of the rose in France at the 

 commencement of the present century, under the auspices of the Empress 

 Josephine, who caused her own name to be traced in the parterres at Mal- 

 maison with a plantation of the rare.-t roses, at a considerable expense, by 

 Dupont, the gardener and founder of the celebrated collection attached to 

 the Luxemburg palace. 



*' At the death of Dupont, Monsieur Hardy succeeded to his office; who 

 for twenty-five years has been making annual sowings of seeds obtained from 

 all quarters of the globe, with a view lo the creation of varieties ; and is pro- 

 bably the most scientific rose grower in Europe. The Chamber of Peers, 

 however, and its grand referendary, by whom his services are remunerated, 

 have lately rendered the rose school of the Luxembourg Nursery secondary 

 to the school of vines; a matter of important national interest to the laud- 

 owners of France. 



"The ori^nal roses of the Luxembourg, as well as those of the royal nur- 

 sery at Trianon, are not purchaseable ; but are giveu away to respectable 

 applicants or exchanged tor other plants with eminent nurserymen, by whom 

 they are propagated aud dispersed. In this way the Kosa Ilardii berbrri 

 folia, obtained this vear by the accidental impregnation of that remurkab) 



Vol. VI. No. 6r. mi 



