294 On the Rose. 



head, without wishing to know aiig-ht of its past history ? 

 As he walks tliroug-li his garden, in liis leisure hours, sur- 

 rounded hy natiu-e's loveliest worlts,whicli he has been years 

 collectini? and cultivating, does he desire to have no recol- 

 lection of the past, no pleasing associations but those that 

 spring from present enjoyment? Certainly he cannotbe con- 

 tent without some knowledge of their history. Flowers! there 

 is in the word enough to call forth thousands of reflections. 



The cultivation of the rose is generally considered so 

 easy and simple, that it would almost seem superfluous to add 

 any information on tlie subject ; yet, I am aware that there 

 is much to learn as regards their propagation, and somewhat 

 in relation to their successful blooming. But as some of your 

 correspondents liave already treated upon the rose, and oth- 

 ers may still do so, I propose finishing this communication 

 with some account of the principal species, and the varieties 

 which belong to each. 



There are five hardy species, from wliich nearly all the 

 varieties we have in cultivation have originated. Tliey are 

 Rosa gallica, R. centifolia, R. damascena, R. alba, and R. 

 spinosissima. The Provins or Provence rose of the French 

 catalogues is the R. gallica of the English ; it is the R. cen- 

 tifolia of botanists, and the cabbage rose of our gardens. 



R. gallica L. (the common red or oflicinal rose.) From this 

 species there has been the largest number, and some of the 

 finest varieties raised. They are not generally of so strong 

 a growth as the damasct na and centifolia, but very profuse 

 flowerers. By budding on the Dog rose, (R. canina) or 

 some other vigorous species, they grow much more luxuriant 

 than on their own roots. This species is a native of the 

 South of Europe, and was introduced into Britain in 1596. 

 The French have been the most successfvd in raising new 

 varieties, and to them we are indebted for the finest kinds — 

 some of which are Montgolfier, tricolor, beaute incomparable, 

 Barbanegre, Comte Camaldoli, illustrie beaute, cramoise feu 

 grand and Grand Duke of Tuscany. 



R. centifolia, L. (Provins, or hundred leaf rose.) The 

 varieties of this species, the Rose a cent feuilks of the French, 

 and our cabbage rose, are extremely beautiful and fragrant. 

 They are of stronger and taller growth than the R. gallica. 

 A native of the South of Europe, and introdiiced to Britain 

 at the same time of the gallica. One of the finest of this 

 species is the old Provins^ there are, however, several kinds, 

 the best of which are the Unique or White Provins, Blush 

 Provins, Monstrous Provins, Scarlet Provins and Royal Prov- 

 ins. A {ew other fine sorts are Vilmorin, Belle Africaine, 

 Hybride de Luxemborgand bovde de niege. 



The moss rose is supposed to be a variety of the Provins, 



