118 DESCRIPTION OF THE ROSE. 



is of a dark, velvety purple. GLOIKE DES MOUSSEUSES is 

 very large and double, and of a blush-color. ROSA BON- 

 HEUR is of a bright rose-color. NUITS D'YOUNG is of a 

 very dwarfed growth, and small deep-purple flowers. 

 VANDAEL is purple, edged with lilac. 



The above afford excellent examples of the various 

 characteristics of the family of the Mosses. Additions in 

 considerable number are still made to it every year; but it 

 is very rarely that any decisive improvement upon the old 

 varieties is shown in the recent seedlings. 



" Moss roses, when grown on their own roots, require a 

 light and rich soil : in such soils, they form fine masses of 

 beauty in beds on lawns. The varieties best adapted to 

 this purpose are the Common Moss, the Prolific, the Lux- 

 embourg, the Crimson, and Lane's Moss. Plants of these 

 are procurable at a moderate price ; and, by pegging down 

 their shoots with hooked sticks, the surface of the bed will 

 be covered with a mass of foliage and flowers. They re- 

 quire the same severe pruning as the Provence Rose. To 

 have a succession of flowers on the same bed, half of the 

 shoots may be shortened in March, the remainder the be- 

 ginning of May, pruning closely as recommended for the 

 Provence roses. By this method, the blooming season 

 may be prolonged from a fortnight to three weeks. They 

 should have an abundant annual dressing of manure on 



