84 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



as their progenitors ; and frora the proneness of nature's offspring 

 to assume new styles and shades arise individuals differing frora 

 their parents. To give a correct knowledge of the rose now so 

 popular, we must become so acquainted with certain types in this 

 group, — which gather together many varieties whose excellent 

 qualities nre the result of artificial selection, — as to learn tliat there 

 are peculiarities that pertain to families which have distinct attri- 

 butes b}^ which they may be distinguished from otiiers. 



In 1842 and 1843 rosarians were delighted vfith the Baron Pre- 

 vost and La Reine, now regarded as the oldest types and most 

 enduring and freest bloomers, favorite examples of which are Paul 

 Neyron, Madame Boll, Anna de Diesbach, and Madame Nachilr}'. 

 In 1846 was introduced the Giant of Battles, rich in color, but 

 fleeting, of slight odor, subject to mildew, and ditflcult to propa- 

 gate, and, on account of the poor constitution of these varieties, the 

 Prince Camille family have taken their place. 



In 1852 the General Jacqueminot appeared as a most valuable 

 acquisition, and frora its great popularity this family is now the 

 most numerous of all. Its members are invariably of shades of 

 red and crimson, moderately hard}', and generally highly perfumed. 

 Leading examples are Marie Rad\', Pierre Notling, and Marie 

 Baumann. 



In the same year originated the Victor Verdier, having numerous 

 descendants, tender, and of slight fragrance, and yet a valuable 

 collection on account of their free flowering, good illustrations of 

 which are Mile. Eugenie Verdier, fitienue Levet, Countess of 

 Oxford, and Captain Christy. Of all the families it is the best for 

 forcing. 



In 1853 the Jules Margottin was a surprise, — almost odorless, 

 and difficult to piopagate from cuttings, but making very vigorous 

 plants whet) budded. Some of our most popular and elegant roses, 

 — Madame Gabriel Luizet, John Hopper, Duchesse de Vallara- 

 brosa, Madame Lacharme, Magna Charta, and Rev. J. B. M. 

 Camra, — are of this family. 



Tlie flowers of most perfect form presented themselves in the 

 S6nateur Va'isse type, like Madame Victor Veidier, Mrs. Laxton, 

 and E. Y. Teas, followed by the Charles Lefebvre, of less vigorous 

 habit ; the Prince Caraille group in 1861, magnificent in their dark 

 velvety shades ; prominent members of which are Monsieur 

 Boneenne, La Kosi^re, Baron de Bonstetten, and Jean Liabaud ; 

 but shy bloomers in the autumn ; the Alfred Colomb, elegant in 



