THE WARS OF THE ROSES 337 



beauty of his cottage garden from April to 

 October. 



But we are forgetting Smith and Brown! 

 Brown — on seeing Smith's Gloire de Dijon — 

 waxed indignant. He would not admit it was in 

 any way other than an ordinary bloom, but Smith 

 pursued the even tenor of his way. Brown's 

 Gloiries came and faded. April had passed and 

 blossomed into May. June, sunny June, was 

 fast approaching. The Wars of the Roses were 

 coming to a climax. 



The weather had been the reverse of pleasant 

 for rosarians. Daily did Smith and Brown go 

 their rounds, and note the progress of their 

 treasures. At last, one fine bright day, and then 

 the gloaming. Night cast its shadows upon the 

 gardens of our two heroes, and daylight dawned 

 again. What a transformation scene! Over- 

 night, buds upon the trees; next morning, fine 

 open blossoms here, there, and everywhere! 

 Smith knew not where to let his eyes rest first; 

 Brown was the same. Smith prided himself on 

 his Madame Fernet Ducher; Brown exhibited 

 great pride at his White Maman Cochet! Blows 

 had been struck, the artillery was at work; the 

 Wars of the Roses were raging ! Smith readily 

 agreed that Brown's White Maman Cochet blooms 

 were of the best, but, said he, " Look at its habit. 

 It hangs its head, the blossoms almost trail along 



