180 IN A GLOUCESTERSHIRE GARDEN 



by being entirely destitute of thorns, except in the young 

 shoots; and it is one of the parents of the Borsault 

 roses, once very popular, which show their parentage 

 by being also for the most part thornless. Rosa Gallica 

 is found in many parts of Europe; as a single rose 

 it is not often seen, but it has given rise, not only to 

 innumerable garden hybrids, but also to some natural 

 hybrids, of which the old damask rose, much beloved of 

 our forefathers, is now said to be one. 



From Asia we got many of our most beautiful roses. 

 China, Japan, and the Himalayas have each in turn 

 sent us their treasures. From China we have the 

 Macartney rose, a grand rose in its single state, with 

 pure white petals, golden stamens, and shining leaves, 

 but spoilt when double. From China also we have 

 the delightful Banksias, generally the earliest rose that 

 flowers, and with very sweet-scented double white 

 flowers, but also with double yellow flowers that 

 are almost scentless. The single Banksia is almost 

 unknown in England, and one of my chief remembered 

 delights in my garden was the first sight of this rarity 

 in flower in 1890. The flowers were a pretty pale 

 yellow, slightly scented.^ Both the Macartney and 

 the Banksia rose require a wall, but the China roses 

 (also from China, though called B. Indica) are as hardy 

 I See pp. 48-69. 



