DESCRIPTION OF THE ROSE. 143 



of which had been impregnated by accident or design 

 with the pollen of some other species. The Ayrshire roses 

 are known in Europe for their astonishing vigor of growth ; 

 some species, it is said, growing nearly thirty feet in a 

 year, an achievement which we never knew them to 

 equal in this country. Their growth, however, is very rap- 

 id ; and, when once established, their long, slender shoots 

 quickly possess themselves of every object near them. As 

 may be gathered from their name, most of them originated 

 in Scotland. In Europe, these roses are valued as standard 

 weepers, since, when budded on tall stocks, they form huge 

 heads of pendulous foliage and bloom. Doubtless they 

 would succeed as well or better in our Southern and Mid- 

 dle States ; but in the North they would probably require, 

 in common with other standard roses, a careful protection 

 against the changes of the seasons. 



BENNETT'S SEEDLING and the DUNDEE RAMBLEB have 

 white flowers ; those of the last being not fully double. 

 The COUNTESS OF LIEVEN is creamy-white and semi- 

 double. SPLENDENS is white, edged with red; and the 

 QUEEN OP THE BELGIANS is of a cream-color. The 

 AYRSHIRE QUEEN is of a dark crimson-purple, and less 

 vigorous in growth than the rest. RUGA is of a pale flesh- 

 color. Like the last, it is a hybrid, probably between the 



