THE ROSE GARDEN 133 



and fast since I first saw Madame Lambard at 

 the Paris Exhibition of 1878. It had appeared 

 the year before, and was described as the " finest 

 deep-red Tea Rose in cultivation." I shall not 

 soon forget the excitement she created. Doubt- 

 less her colour in France is deeper than in Eng- 

 land ; for even here one sees the difference sun 

 and warmth make to her, the first blooms in 

 July being much darker in colour than the 

 charming, rather pale blossoms I see from the 

 window on an early October day. Few Teas, 

 whether old or new, surpass her ; strong, 

 hardy, always in flower, she is hard to beat. 

 But of course for deep vivid colour she cannot 

 now compare with some of her modern rivals, 

 such as Betty Berkeley; for among them we 

 find some amazing tints. With the exception 

 of Ma Capudne, nearly all the deepest and 

 most brilliantly coloured Tea Roses have been 

 raised since Madame Lambard made her wel- 

 come appearance thirty years ago. And few 

 are more effective for massing than General 

 Schablikine. Its abundant flowers, a bright 

 coppery-red, are never wanting throughout 



