The French Rose. 247 



Rosa Gallica. 



GROUP VIIL THE FRENCH ROSE. 



The French Provins, or " Garden " Roses, as they are often termed, once formed the 

 most extensive group belonging to the genus " Rosa." They have been very long 

 under cultivation, and many of the old varieties are prolific beyond measure in pro- 

 ducing seed, which vegetates freely. Hence is accounted for the number of French 

 Roses which have been introduced into our gardens ; and some even of the oldest are 

 still admired and cultivated. They are very hardy, thriving well in the commonest 

 garden soil. 



All hues are here, and some interesting striped Roses, which are singularly 

 beautiful. To see the latter in perfection they should be viewed early in the morning, 

 before a summer's sun has dimmed their beauty ; for the colours of these Roses in 

 particular fly at the Fire King's approach, when the contrast often becomes too 

 feeble to please. 



The French Roses approach nearer to the Provence than to any other group ; 

 they are distinguished from them by a more upright and compact growth ; the 

 prickles are also smaller and less numerous, and the flowers are flatter. The Hybrid 

 Chinese are descended from these, but there is little fear of mistaking the one for the 

 other. 



In Pruning French Roses, the heads should be well thinned out, as they are 

 disposed to produce an abundance of shoots, far more than can be suffered to remain 

 if fine flowers combined with the ultimate good of the tree are the chief ends in view. 

 Thin out the heads well ; then, when pruning, shorten the shoots left back to four, 

 five, or six eyes, or to where the wood is firm and well ripened and the eyes full and 

 plump. 



1. ADELE PREVOST; flowers beautiful blush, their centres pink; cupped, large, 

 and full ; form fine. Habit erect ; growth vigorous. 



2. BELLE DES JARDINS ; flowers bright red, striped with white. 



3. BoULA DE NANTEUIL ; flowers crimson purple, their centres sometimes fiery 

 crimson, very large and full ; form compact. Habit branching ; growth robust. 



4. CYNTHIE ; flowers pale rose, their circumferences almost blush, large and full ; 

 form cuppped. Habit erect ; growth moderate. 



5. D'AGUESSEAU ; flowers fiery crimson, occasionally shaded with dark purple, 

 glowing, large, and full ; form compact. Habit erect ; growth moderate. 



6. DUCHESS OF BUCCLEUCH ; flowers lively crimson, their circumferences inclining 

 to lavender-blush, very large and full ; form cupped. Habit erect ; growth vigorous. 



