142 CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 



culture, both in commercial establishments and in private gardens. 

 The skill of the French has originated many new and beautiful 

 varieties, which are to be found in several of the nurseries in the 

 United States. The French are constantly searching for im- 

 provements in horticultural science and practice, with an enthu- 

 siasm rarely found in the more cold Englishman, whose skill seems 

 less to consist in the creation of new varieties, than in growing 

 perfectly those already known. None, indeed, can surpass the 

 English in the art of growing fine plants, but we are chiefly 

 indebted to the French for the finest new varieties of the Rose. 

 Such being the case, it is much to be regretted, that so little con- 

 fidence can be placed in the greater number of French rose- 

 growers ; roses from such should never be propagated until their 

 bloom has been tested. To this rule there are some honorable 

 exceptions : of these are Laffay, Vibert, and Verdier, and there 

 may also be others with whom we are not acquainted. Yibert is 

 perhaps the largest rose cultivator in France, and his attention 

 is directed almost exclusively to the culture of this flower and 

 the vine. 



Verdier is a smaller cultivator, but said to be correct and fair. 



Lafllay, although not a large cultivator, has devoted his time 

 almost exclusively to raising new roses from seed, and to him 

 are the admirers of this beautiful flower indebted for many 

 fine varieties. We shall not soon forget our very pleasant 

 visit to Laffay, in the spring of 1845. Although the posses- 

 sor of considerable property, he lives in a very simple, un- 

 ostentatious manner, and devotes himself to his favorite pursuit 

 with the utmost interest and enthusiasm. With much warmth 

 of heart and kindness of manner, he unites the courteous hospi- 

 tality of a French gentleman of the ancient regime ; his wife, an 

 animated and pleasant Frenchwoman, is, except in appearance, 

 exactly his counterpart, even to the fondness for rose culture. We 

 were rather disappointed in finding so little method in the 

 arrangement of his grounds. Although every care was taken to 

 ensure correctness, there was not that method in arrangement, 

 that perfect neatness and that regard for artistical effect, which 



