A Chapter on Roses 261 



been a paradise of roses this season), has already sent us his 

 list of favorites, which we have before made public, to the 

 great satisfaction of many about to form little rose-gardens. 

 Dr. Yalk, also, has indicated his preferences. And to en- 

 courage other devotees - - more experienced than ourselves 

 -we give our own list of favorites, as follows: 

 First of all roses, then, in our estimation, stands the 

 Bourbons (the only branch of the family, not repudiated by 

 republicans). The most perpetual of all perpetuals, the 

 most lovely in form, of all colors, and many of them of the 

 richest fragrance; and, for us northerners, most of all, 

 hardy and easily cultivated, we cannot but give them the 

 first rank. Let us, then, say - 



HALF A DOZEN BOURBON ROSES * 



Souvenir de Malmaison, pale flesh color. 



Paul Joseph, purplish crimson. 



Hermosa, deep rose. 



Queen, delicate fawn color. 



Dupetit Thouars, changeable carmine. 



Acidalie, white. 



Souvenir de Malmaison is, take it altogether, - - its con- 

 stant blooming habit, its large size, hardiness, beautiful 

 form, exquisite color, and charming fragrance, - - our favor- 

 ite rose; the rose which, if we should be condemned to 

 that hard penance of cultivating but one variety, our choice 

 would immediately settle upon. Its beauty suggests a 

 blending of the finest sculpture and the loveliest feminine 

 complexion. 



Second to the Bourbons, we rank the Remontantes, as the 

 French term them; a better name than the English one - 

 perpetuals; for they are by no means perpetual in their 

 blooming habit, when compared with the Bourbons, China, 



* It has seemed best to keep this chapter intact as first written by 

 Mr. Downing. So many new roses have been introduced since his day, 

 however, that his recommendations of particular varieties cannot be 

 expected to cover the field at this time. In an appendix there has been 

 given therefore a modern list of the best varieties now available in 

 American nurseries. F. A. W. 



