170 THE ROSE. 



shall make further study of the slight differ- 

 ences which exist between the varieties so as 

 to determine the best ; we hope to have the 

 aid of others in this matter. 



HOW TO DISTINGUISH VARIETIES. Old 



rosarians may need no instruction in this 

 matter, but we believe some useful hints may 

 be given to amateurs who find difficulty in 

 ascertaining the difference which exists be- 

 tween varieties that resemble each other. 

 The chief value of such knowledge is in the 

 power given of determining what sorts should 

 be retained as the best of their type, and 

 what rejected as similar but inferior to them. 

 The flower is naturally the first to claim our 

 attention ; observe first the color, second the 

 form, degree of fulness, and size, third the 

 fragrance. Next, examine the vigor and 

 habit of growth, whether the shoots are up- 

 right or spreading ; the joints between leaf- 

 stalks, whether close together (short joints), 

 or widely separated (long joints) ; the thorns, 

 whether they be many or few in num- 

 ber, their thickness, length, color, whether 

 straight or hooked ; the leaf-stalks and foliage, 

 whether the leaflets be five, seven, nine, or 

 eleven in number ; the color of the foliage 

 and bark, sometimes dark green, sometimes 

 pale, occasionally brown or red; further, 



