THE AUTUMNAL ROSE GARDEN. 177 



THE MACARTNEY ROSE. 



(ROSA BRACTEATA.) 



The single Macartney Rose was brought from 

 China, in 1795, by Lord Macartney, on his re- 

 turn from his embassy to that country. It now 

 forms the original of a pretty family ; but as it 

 does not bear seed freely, even in France, fine 

 varieties, as yet, are not abundant; its strictly 

 evergreen and shining foliage is a beautiful feature ; 

 and I hope ere long to see numerous varieties, 

 with double flowers of the same brilliant hues as 

 our other fine roses possess. Time will prove; but 

 I think it is not too much to anticipate, that, ulti- 

 mately, we shall not be satisfied unless all our 

 roses, even the moss roses, have evergreen foliage, 

 brilliant and fragrant flowers, and the habit of 

 blooming from June till November. This seems to 

 be an extravagant anticipation ; but perseverance in 

 gardening will yet achieve wonders. The Double 

 (the old variety) was the first double Macartney 

 Rose raised from seed : it is mentioned here to cau- 

 tion any one from planting it, as it is totally worth- 

 less, its flowers constantly dropping off without 

 opening. The Double Blush or Tea Victoire Mo- 

 deste is so much hybridised with the Tea-scented 

 rose, that it has lost many of the characters of 



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