86 EECOED OF IIOKTICULTUEE. 



the masses liave to depend upon the professional rose-grow- 

 ers for selections. These gentlemen are becoming aware that 

 their reputation and success in business depends not only 

 upon the quality of the plants they send out, but also the 

 variety, for purchasers are learning that their best guide 

 in obtaining good things is the character of the one who 

 offers them for sale. A gi-eat change in this respect has 

 been wrought in the last half-dozen years. Some of our 

 florists who imported new plants last year, for which they 

 must have paid a large price, and who have scarcely had 

 an opportunity of being reimbursed for their outlay, have 

 boldly announced that certain species and A'arieties have 

 proved to be utterly worthless for this climate, thereby 

 showing that they value more highly a good reputation 

 than any j^ecuniary reward that might be gained by the 

 sale of sucli plants. We gave a list of choice roses in the 

 Record of last year, and we will now add a few more. 

 The first on the list shall be a new American seedling. 



Gem of the Prairies. — This is supposed to be a hybrid be- 

 tween the Queen of the Prairies and Madame Laftay. It is 

 a strong and vigorous grower, similar in habit to the Queen, 

 but the flowers are considerably darker in color, besides 

 being fragrant. We have been acquainted with this 

 variety for the past five years, and believe that it is the 

 best of what are known as the Prairie Roses. It Avas 

 raised by A. Burgess, of East New York, and the stock is 

 now in the hands of Peter Henderson, who will send it 

 out the present season. 



The following list is probably as good a one as it is pos- 

 sible to make. It is made uj) of old and new varieties, 



