104 DESCRIPTION OF THE ROSE. 



stems, is well known in every greenhouse. Its progenitor 

 is a native of China or Tartary, and the improved varieties 

 are chiefly due to the labors of Chinese florists. 



There is another race of climbers, held in great scorn by 

 foreign florists, but admirably adapted to our climate, 

 under whose influences they put forth beauties by no 

 means contemptible. These are the progeny of the wild 

 Michigan or Prairie Rose, rampant growers, and generally 

 sturdy enough to outface our hardest winters. The best 

 of them, however, the Baltimore Belle, is evidently the 

 offspring of a foreign marriage, which, while contributing 

 fragrance and beauty to the rugged race of the prairies, 

 has detracted something from its hardihood. The union, 

 probably accidental, seems to have been with the Tea Rose 

 or the Noisette. 



Of the foregoing groups, all except the Damask Perpet- 

 ual are once-blooming. The following have, to a greater 

 or less extent, the desirable character of a continued or 

 successive bloom. 



The Macartney Rose is a wild rose of China, from which 

 a few improved varieties have been raised from seed. Its 

 evergreen shining foliage is its most attractive feature. 

 The Microphylla, or Small-leaved Rose, is closely akin to 

 the Macartney, and, like the latter, is a native of the East. 



