122 



The Rose Garden. 



3. Colour. This, of whatever shade or tint, should be clear and solid. The thick - 

 petalled Roses usually present us with the richest tints, owing, I presume, to the 

 greater body of colour : such are therefore desirable for this reason, as well as on 

 account of holding their flowers perfect a longer time than others. Need we add the 

 desirableness of varying the colours of the groups ? 



4. Freedom, constancy, and duration of flowering. Some Roses are most profuse 

 bloomers, presenting a splendid effect on the tree, but when viewed separately they 

 are poor and flimsy. Others produce a less quantity of flowers at one time, but a 

 regular succession, from which a good Rose may be gathered at almost any time in 

 the season of flowering. Then the flowers of some are very transient, lasting but a 



Fig. 34. IDEAL ROSE, form expanded. 



day, although others will retain their form and colour for a week. These properties 

 are inherent, for all kinds are not influenced alike by the state of the weather. 



5. Scent. All Roses should be sweet ; we cannot dissociate fragrance and the 

 Rose. 



"The Rose of brilliant hue, and perfumed breath, 

 Buds, blossoms, dies, and still is sweet in death." 



There are indeed few kinds altogether scentless, although the degree of fragrance 

 varies remarkably. 



The above, then, are a few broad principles, which, duly considered and acted 

 upon, seem likely to lead to the further improvement of our flower. When hybridizing 



