ROSES IN GENERAL CULTIVATION. 53 



obtained from the Isle of Bourbon and taken 

 to France (either seeds or plants) in the 

 early part of the century. It was noticed 

 growing in a hedge of Bengal and Damask 

 Perpetual Roses, and on examination proved 

 distinct from either, but seemed to have 

 characteristics which pertained to both. It 

 has been considered therefore as a natural 

 hybrid, a product from these two groups. 

 Except in the case of varieties strongly im- 

 pregnated with Tea blood, this class is 

 sufficiently hardy to withstand all but ex- 

 traordinary winters ; the tops may be black- 

 ened by the frost, but shoots will push forth 

 from the lower buds. The varieties vary 

 greatly in growth and other features, but 

 most of them are of vigorous habit, and have 

 dark, lustrous foliage. The flowers are gen- 

 erally of light shades and found in clusters, 

 and are specially valuable in the autumn, 

 when so many Hybrid Perpetuals belie their 

 name. But it must not be overlooked that 

 many Bourbon Roses are also shy autumnals, 

 though mention of this is seldom made in 

 any of the catalogues, and the impression is 

 therefore general that all Bourbon Roses pro- 

 duce flowers freely in the autumn. There 

 are several well-known sorts, like Dupetit 

 Thouars, Sir J. Paxton, etc., that will not 



