CULTURE OF TUBEROSA. 45 



here we may trace the features of many and various families of Indian or 

 Siberian, Chinese or European extraction. The Hybrid Perpetuals, however, 

 inherit their remontant character chiefly from Rosa Indica, — the China or Tea 

 rose, — and, in a far less degree, from the Damask Perpetual. An infusion of 

 the former exists, in greater or less degree, in all of them ; while the blood of 

 the Damask Perpetual shows its traces in comparatively few. Many of the 

 group are the results of a union between the Hybrid China roses and some 

 variety of the China or Tea. Others owe their origin to the Hybrid China 

 and the Bourbon, both parents being hybrids of Rosa Indica. Others are off- 

 spring of the Hybrid China crossed with the Damask Perpetual ; while many 

 spring from intermarriages within the group itself, Hybrid Perpetual with 

 Hybrid Perpetual. 



By some over-zealous classifiers this group has been cut up into various sub- 

 divisions, as Bourbon Perpetual, Rose de Rosomene, and the like, a procedure 

 never sufficiently to be deprecated, as tending to produce no results but per- 

 plexity and confusion. Where there can be no definite basis of division, it is 

 well to divide as little as may be, and it is to be hoped that secession from the 

 heterogeneous commonwealth of the Hybrid Perpetuals will be effectually 

 repressed. And, in regard to roses in general, while a classification founded 

 on evident natural affinities is certainly desirable, yet, in the name of common 

 sense, let us avoid the multiplication of new hybrid groups, founded on flimsy 

 distinctions, and christened with new names which begin with meaning little 

 and end with meaning nothing. 



A FEW NOTES ON THE CULTURE OF POLIANTHES TUBEROSA. 



BY E. W. BUSWELL. 



Commonly called Tuberose probably from the almost universal propensity of 

 the mass of humanity to call things by other than their right names. Especi- 

 ally is this true in regard to the names of flowers ; and the ambitious learner 

 too often finds himself pursuing knowledge under difficulties from which be 

 would be spared if all were willing to grant to our friends, the flowers, the 

 rights which we claim for ourselves — to be called by our Christian names. 



In the case of the plant under consideration, the popular name is no doubt 

 a perversion of the last word of its true name. 



Polianthes is said to be the union of two Greek words, signifying " City 

 flower," and so called because of its great desirableness causing it to be culti- 

 vated extensively even in cities. The variety Jlore plena is considered most 

 desirable, and, in short, is almost universally the one cultivated. 



The single ones are not less fragrant or beautiful than the double, and are 

 preferred by some persons for their more graceful foliage, a property for which 

 I do not vouch. Flore plena, wherever found, has a mighty potency at the 



