42 COMMERCIAL ROSE CULTURE 



this has been proved incorrect, and it seems to be of more im- 

 portance as to what the shape of the flower is like rather than as 

 to how many petals it has. 



Certain varieties seem to be incapable of forming perfect 

 seed, especially such as have the petals rolled inwards. Other 

 kinds, having perfect pistils, will, if the flowers are allowed 

 to remain, form seed pods which dry up before arriving at 

 maturity. Such as these will often perfect their seed if artifi- 

 cial impregnation is practiced. 



If a large number of chance seedlings is the object, select 

 a piece of good ground, well prepared, and plant on it a collec- 

 tion of the best varieties obtainable. Do not prune these too 

 closely but, when the flowers are about to develop, all the poor 

 ones may be removed, leaving the good, well developed ones to 

 flower and seed at will. 



A better way would be to carefully select flowers for cross- 

 ing and hand fertilize them, keeping a record of operations. In 

 this case care has to be used that promiscuous crossing, or self- 

 fertilization, does not take place. To guard against the former 

 cover with netting to keep away insects about the time the 

 pollen is ripe and, as a preventive of the latter, pry open gently 

 the flowers to be operated on and remove the stamens with a 

 pair of round pointed scissors. This may be done just before 

 the flower is ready to open, say the night before; if delayed 

 until the pollen on the stamens is ripe, which is about the time 

 the flower is expanded, it may be too late to prevent self-fertili- 

 zation. 



Fragrance is an object which should be sought after in a 

 new Rose; other qualifications are habit, form, color, freedom 

 of bloom, hardiness, if for outside planting, and continuity of 

 growth and bloom in Winter, if for indoor culture. 



It has been asserted that, to obtain double flowers, prefer- 

 ence should be given to double and semi-double varieties for 

 seed bearers ; varieties should be selected with broad, thick, well 



