Viii PREFACE. 



to be traced in the parterres at Malmaison 

 with a plantation of the rarest roses, at consi- 

 derable expense, by Dupont, the gardener and 

 founder of the celebrated collection attached 

 to the Luxembourg palace. 



At the death of Dupont, Monsieur Hardy 

 succeeded to his office ; who, for twenty-five 

 years, has been making annual sowings of seed 

 obtained from all quarters of the globe, with 

 a view to the creation of varieties, and is 

 probably the most scientific rose-grower in 

 Europe. The Chamber of Peers, however, and 

 its grand referendary, by whom his services 

 are remunerated, have lately rendered the rose- 

 school of the Luxembourg-nursery secondary 

 to the school of vines, a matter of important 

 national interest to the land-owners of France. 

 The original roses- of the Luxembourg, as well 

 as those of the royal nursery of Trianon, are not 

 purchasable ; but are given away to respect- 

 able applicants, or exchanged for other plants 

 with eminent nurserymen, by whom they are 

 propagated and dispersed. In thi way the 

 Rosa Hardii Berberifolia, obtained this year 

 by the accidental impregnation of that remark- 



