32 CHARACTERISTICS OF A FINE ROSE. 



Whether this is to climb the front of a Jiouse, bloom on the ground, 

 or mount poles or other devices, fragrance is one of the great charms . 

 which place the Rose on the throne of the garden as the Queen of 

 Flowers. 



3. The flower should be double to the centre, high on the crown, 

 round in the outline, and regular in the disposition of the petals. 



This would seem to be a little contradictory, after saying, that in a 

 Moss Rose, the full-blown flower cannot be allowed, because it con- 

 ceals the grand characteristic of the plant. But it is not contradictory, 

 because we defend it on grounds which render doubleness equally 

 valuable to the Moss family, which should not be shown in full bloom, 

 as to those which are so exhibited. The more double the flower, even 

 when amounting to confusion, the more full and beautiful the bud in 

 all its stages. Those who have noticed the single and semi-double 

 Moss Roses will remember that the buds are thin and pointed, and 

 starved-looking affairs, while the old common Moss Rose, which is 

 large and double as the Cabbage Rose, is bold, full, rich, and effective, 

 from the instant the calyx bursts. At this point, we shall have to 

 branch off and take families ; perhaps the Moss Rose family is the best 

 to commence with. Those who now follow through the different 

 species or varieties, will find the first three rules are essential to all, 

 and are therefore repeated with each division. 



Properties )f Moss Roses. 



1. The petals should be thick, broad, and smooth at the edges. 



2. The flower should be highly perfumed, or, as the dealers call it, 

 fragrant. 



3. The flower should be double to the centre, high on the crown, 

 round in the outline, and regular in the disposition of the petals. 



4. The quantity of moss, the length of the spines, or prickles, which 

 form itj and its thickness, or closeness, on the stems, leaves, and calyx, 

 cannot be too great. 



This being the distinguishing characteristic of Moss Rosea, the 

 more strongly it is developed the better. 



5. The length of the divisions of the calyx, and the ramifications 

 at the end, cannot be too great. As the entire beauty is in the unde- 



