38 THE HISTORY AND CULTIVATION OF THE ROSE. 



finest formed Roses of the day, was raised in Kent. We 

 could adduce further proof if thought necessary, but this 

 establishes our position. Why then, the question naturally 

 arises, are so few good varieties originated in England ? 

 Because our Rose amateurs have not turned their attention 

 to this branch of cultivation. Now, to follow out this 

 subject. Such varieties as ripen their seed naturally here 

 should be planted in the best aspect of the garden, and 

 their flowers fertilised with the pollen of any others, the 

 combining of which may appear likely to produce good 

 and distinct varieties. Finely formed flowers and varieties 

 of good habit should be worked upon as much as possible. 

 To what extent hybridising may be carried I am not 

 prepared to say, but from existing hybrids it is evident 

 that the field for experiment is anything but circumscribed. 

 The following are good varieties for planting as seed- 

 bearers : Rosa mundi, Moss du Luxembourg, Madame 

 Laffay, Harrisonii, Gloire des Rosomanes, Athelin, General 

 Allard, Aurora, Captain Sisolet, Chenedole, Great Western, 

 Marechal Soult. These all perfect their seeds in our 

 climate. Now, I. almost question whether we could have 

 better varieties than these to work upon. From Athelin 

 have been originated some of our finest modern Hybrid 

 Perpetual Roses ; from General Allard was raised that 

 admirable variety Madame Laffay, and doubtless many 

 others sprang from the same source. Here then is 

 encouragement. It surely is only necessary to draw the 

 attention of the British gardening world to these facts, to 

 ensure the application of that same skill and industry 

 which in other branches have worked out such marvellous 

 results. 



Rose seed is usually ripe in November, at which season 

 it should be gathered and laid by in damp mould or sand 

 till February, when the external covering will have decayed, 

 and the seeds may be rubbed out and sown. They may 

 be sown in beds or pans, taking care to protect from mice 

 and birds when sown, and from slugs when coming up. 



