ROSES. 51 



early gladiolus, the large flowering lupin, and 

 above all, lilies. The variety of lilies, all beauti- 

 ful, and nearly all easily grown, is quite remark- 

 able, and we doubt whether (comparatively at 

 least) any flower is more neglected. 



Then come roses, and we would strongly 

 recommend that, in addition to the newer "re- 

 montant " roses, the old roses and the old way 

 of growing them should not be quite forgotten. 

 Standard roses are all very well, but a rose-bush 

 covered over with blossom is very often much 

 better. " Madame Rothschild " is pre-eminent in 

 beauty, but (if she will tolerate the " odorous " 

 comparison) the old cabbage rose or moss rose 

 has a charm of scent and of association of which 

 their fashionable rival is entirely devoid. The old 

 pink china or monthly rose, which flowers on from 

 early summer to latest autumn, deserves a bed to 

 itself. It should be trained and pegged down, as 

 is so constantly done in Belgium and Holland, and 

 the blue lobelia should be planted in between. 

 A bed of the yellow briar-rose is still more beauti- 

 ful, but it lasts for weeks only instead of months. 



E 2 



