Tea-Scented Roses and their Hybrids. 305 



tints of the flowers. It has been said, both by French and English writers on this 

 subject, that the Yellow, although a fertile seed-bearer, never produces varieties 

 worthy of notice. As if to redeem its character from this aspersion, a few years 

 ago it produced, in this country, the Devoniensis,* one of the handsomest of the 

 group, raised by Mr Foster of Plymouth, with others from the same parent, one of 

 which was a Noisette of a yellow cast. 



Within the last few years the Tea-scented Roses have increased considerably in 

 number, and have been greatly varied in character by cross fertilisation. They are now 

 cast in three sections i. Tea-scented and hybrids of climbing growth ; 2. Tea-scented 

 of moderate and dwarf growth ; and 3. Hybrid Tea-scented of moderate and dwarf 

 growth. These hybrids are mostly the result of crosses among themselves or with the 

 Hybrid Perpetuals, and are a great acquisition to our gardens ; they are also hardier 

 than the original varieties. It is difficult to decide to which group some of these hybrids 

 most properly belong, as the features of their respective parents are often so evenly 

 balanced in the offspring that one can hardly say which they most nearly resemble. 



It must be admitted that this beautiful group is worthy of special culture (see 

 p. 1 80). The varieties require a rich well-drained soil, close pruning, and, if grown 

 out of doors, they thrive best in a tolerably warm soil. It must not, however, be 

 overlooked that many of the Tea-scented Roses recently introduced are much hardier 

 than the older varieties. 



If trained to a wall with a south or east aspect the Tea Roses grow vigorously 

 and flower in great beauty, much earlier and finer than in the open ground, producing 

 a constant succession of flowers for one-half of the year. They also flower well 

 grown in pots and plunged in the open ground, if removed to a cold frame during 

 Winter. But for Pot culture under glass, for Forcing, and for planting out in the 

 Conservatory they are unsurpassed. 



SECTION I. Varieties of Extra Vigorous or Climbing Habit. 



1. ABBE" THOMASSON ; flowers salmon, with coppery centre, shading off to yellowish 

 white at the edges of the petals. 



2. BELLE LYONNAISE ; flowers deep canary-yellow, changing to white, slightly 

 tinted with salmon, large, full, and of fine form. One of the best. 



3. BILLIARD ET BARRE" ; flowers rich golden yellow, large, almost full, globular, 

 buds superb when half open. A most effective Rose ; one of the best. 



4. CHESHUNT HYBRID ; flowers maroon-crimson, changing to slaty red, large 

 and full ; a useful climbing Rose, its principal defect being the dull hue of the 

 expanded flowers. Very hardy. 



* Since the publication of an early edition of this Work, I have been told that this fine Rose was not raised at 

 Plymouth, but brought there from the West of France. The story is a long one, and the evidence in support of it 

 reliable and weighty. Still the late Mr Pince of Exeter, in a letter now before me, clearly claims for it an English origin. 



2 A 



