24 THE HISTORY AND CULTIVATION OF THE ROSE. 



The Egyptians cultivated Roses largely, and we read 

 that they sent quantities annually to Rome, before those 

 of the latter country were in bloom. At a feast given by 

 Cleopatra to Mark Antony, she caused the room of enter- 

 tainment to be strewed with Rose leaves to a considerable 

 depth, and spent a talent in procuring the requisite 

 number. 



Several of the Latin authors make mention of the Rose, 

 and at the time that the Roman Empire was at its highest 

 pitch of splendour, the love of this flower was carried to 

 excess. It is related by Suetonius that the Emperor Nero 

 spent 20,000 upon Roses at one feast. This certainly 

 seems monstrous, and can hardly be accredited even when 

 we consider the authority of Suetonius and the extra- 

 ordinary character of the Emperor. It was customary 

 for the wealthy inhabitants of Rome to take their meals 

 resting upon rose leaves. On the occasion of public 

 rejoicings the streets were strewed with flowers, and the 

 statues of their deities were adorned with crowns and 

 garlands of Roses. The practice of crowning themselves 

 with this flower also became so prevalent that a law was 

 passed forbidding it except on special occasions. 



Although both the Greek and Latin authors wrote 

 very agreeable things about the Rose, and could doubtless 

 fully appreciate its varied beauties, they appear to have 

 known very little of the art of culture. Thus Theophrastus 

 tells us it was customary to set fire to the Rose trees in 

 Greece, without which precaution they would bear no 

 flowers. And Pliny relates that the art of forcing consisted 

 in watering the plants with warm water on the appearance 

 of the bud. From these statements it would seem that the 

 gardeners of those days did not let even the philosophers 

 into the secrets of their art. Nevertheless we read that 

 the Romans obtained Roses and Lilies in December by 

 introducing to their plant-houses tubes filled with hot 

 water, and Martial makes mention of Roses out of season 

 as a great luxury. 



