180 THE AUTUMNAL ROSE GARDEN. 



curious hybrids. This is all speculative ; but such 

 speculations are, unlike many others, exceedingly 

 innocent and interesting. 



EOSA MICROPHYLLA. 

 (THE SMALL-LEAVED HOSE.) 



Rosa rnicrophylla rubra, from which we have 

 derived all our varieties of this pretty family, was 

 introduced from the East in 1823. It is nearly 

 allied to the Macartney, and is most probably a 

 Chinese hybrid of that rose. The original im- 

 ported plant bearing double flowers makes it 

 appear more probable that it is a mere garden 

 variety. I have received seed from Italy of this 

 rose, and find that plants from it, to use a florist's 

 term, sport amazingly, no two appearing alike. 



From Italian seed we have Alba odorata, a 

 vigorous-growing variety, partaking as much of 

 the Macartney Rose in its habit as of Rosa mi- 

 crophylla ; in fact, it is a complete hybrid. This 

 is a good evergreen rose, producing an abundance 

 of pale sulphur, or rather cream-coloured flowers : 

 they are sweet-scented, but do not in general open 

 freely. Carnea, or Rosea, is a pretty and remark- 

 able rose, forming a neat little bush, nearly ever- 

 green ; its flowers are double, and of a beautifully 



