Xll PREFACE. 



It is a remarkable fact, by the way, tha,t the 

 Macrophylla, which, being full, does not bear 

 seed, was obtained last year from a sowing of 

 common Bengal roses by Monsieur Hardy. 



There is not, in fact, a more perplexing or 

 more amusing branch of horticulture, than that 

 of sowing with a view to the production of new 

 varieties. Every season affords valuable ac- 

 quisitions, and at the annual epoch of flower- 

 ing, the excitement of the enthusiastic rose- 

 grower is at its height. Laffay, for instance, 

 has this season obtained a vigorous and very 

 thorny variety of Rosa Banksiae ; which, should 

 it fulfil his expectations by producing, next 

 summer, flowers of a vivid pink, will afford a 

 highly valuable addition to theBanksian tribe. 



In addition to the interest excited by his 

 seedlings, the attention of the rose-grower is 

 eagerly directed to the accidental varieties pro- 

 duced by what is called "a sport," or branch 

 losing the habit of the plant on which it grows, 

 and assuming new specific characters. In this 

 way the Bath Moss Rose, or Mossy Unique, was 

 originated at Clifton ; and the beautiful Rosa 

 Cristata in Switzerland. The Rose Unique was 



