ROSES THAT BLOOM THE WHOLE SEASON. 105 



ROSA INDICA ODORATA. 



THE TEA-SCENTED ROSE. 



It Is nearly forty years since this rose was Intro- 

 duced Into Europe from China. At what period it 

 was first brought to this country is to us unknown ; 

 but it cannot be less than thirty years since ; neither 

 are we aware of any improvement being made upon 

 it with us, or even with the French, who are the 

 leading spirits in everything connected v/ith the rose. 

 It is a free seed-bearer, and has been the parent of 

 many varieties, many of which excel it in size, but 

 few or none in fragrance. Few growers are very 

 successful in its culture ; its growth at times is very 

 luxuriant, and it sometimes makes a shoot three feet 

 long; but such instances rarely occur. The varieties 

 from it, however, are magnificent ; many of them, of 

 the most luxuriant character, with flowers of all shades 

 from white to red. The family are nearly all too 

 tender for culture in this latitude without winter pro- 

 tection. To grow them perfectly (and they are well 

 worth extra care) the ground should be prepared ex- 

 pressly for them. They delight in a rich light soil 



