CHAPTER XII. 

 ABOUT ROSES. 



THE QUEEN OF FLOWERS. 



GARDENING is a many-sided subject, there are so many forms 

 of it, so many beautiful flowers to grow, that it is difficult 

 to say which one likes the best. But of all forms of 

 gardening that of rose growing should not be neglected, 

 for this, if it is not the most beautiful, is certainly full of 

 sweet interest. 



A critic once asked his hearers to compare a rose border 

 with a good colour perennial border, " Which is the more 

 beautiful ? " He was answered at once : " Oh, the colour 

 border of course." "But which would you have if you 

 had your choice ? " he enquired. And the answer was : 

 " Oh, the rose border/' 



Rose gardening is certainly not the most beautiful sort 

 of gardening, but as the rose is a plant so universally 

 known, and one in which the affections of all are so deeply 

 placed, we cannot do without it. 



It is not sufficient to go into the country and bring back 

 sprays of wild roses ; it is not enough to gaze with loving 

 eyes on the roses in our friends' gardens. We must have 

 them in our own garden. There is something about the 

 rose which compels us to grow it, and that something is 

 summed up in the statement that it is the Queen of 

 Flowers. 



No other plant so well repays the trouble bestowed upon 

 it, and no other plant can look more unhappy if this 

 trouble is refused it. To see roses miserable is enough 



no 



