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THE 



CHEISTMAS 



ROSE. 



Helleborus niger. 



MOXGST the " old-fashioned 

 flowers" that one might look 

 for in the little out-door para- 

 dise of Lady Corisande, there 

 would be none more worthy 

 of care and honour than the 

 Christmas rose. It is quite 

 a proper thing for a Londoner 

 fond of flowers to visit Co vent 

 Garden Market at an early 

 hour on a morning of De- 

 cember to see the Christmas 

 roses that are offered for sale. 

 They appear in surprising 

 quantities, and the visitor un- 

 used to the Avays and doings 

 of the market will ask, " Where 

 do they come from?" But their size, their perfection, 

 their perfect purity of colour are more surprising than 

 their number, and he will perhaps ask a second question, 

 " How is it done ? " And thereby hangs a tale. 



The Christmas rose is one of the easiest plants to grow, 

 but when left entirely to itself it flowers late, and the 

 flowers are much torn and discoloured by the unkind 



