176 THE ROSE CONTROVERSY. 



a crowded, formal, and artificial state in a state in which 

 anyone might produce them with ordinary advantages and 

 ordinary cultivation, without the technical knowledge of 

 the florists' art. For this effort I think I should claim the 

 sympathy and support, rather than excite the alarm and 

 arouse the prejudices, of rival growers. 



I have said that some good show Roses are also good 

 garden Roses, but that many are not. If he demurs to 

 this we here differ in opinion, and let the public be the 

 judge between us. I am not surprised that he finds we 

 agree on so many points about Roses and Rose showing. 

 Of course we do ; for here as in most other questions 

 nearly all men think alike on many points. But the 

 points on which we differ he does not meet and answer 

 fairly, but raises and argues on others as to which we are 

 generally agreed. I have never disputed that many Roses 

 are equally good as show Roses and garden Roses, but 

 have clearly asserted it. I say that " the standard of size 

 and shape required at the Rose shows shuts out many of 

 the best Roses for garden decoration." He says that his 

 assertion " all Teas are moderate growers" was only 

 " meant to refer" to such as were moderate growers. His 

 criticisms on my examples of " Show Roses," " Garden 

 Roses," and " Show and Garden Roses," do not alter or 

 modify my opinion of the distinctions I endeavoured to 

 point out. He may claim Boule de Neige, Safrano, and 

 other similar good garden Roses as show Roses, but I do 

 not think many Rose growers will endorse that opinion, 

 or that these varieties will be found in many first prize 

 stands. Devienne Lamy and Marquise de Mortemart 

 may be in his opinion u doubtful Roses for show," but 

 they have been shown fine, and many who have bought 

 them through the flowers shown have found in these 

 instances, as in many others, that good show Roses and 

 good garden Roses are not always identical. To class 

 Comte Raimbaud with Roses of " dull colours," "dear 

 from old associations" shows, to put the most favourable 



