PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION 



It seems right to make some sort of apology, as 

 most of my predecessors have done, for putting forth 

 another Eose-book when there are already so many ; 

 but perhaps it is not really required, as the columns 

 devoted to the subject every week in horticultural 

 literature show that there is ever something fresh 

 to be said on the different matters connected with 

 the Rose. 



My idea was, in the first place, to give, from an 

 amateur, full details of practical culture for amateurs 

 from the beginning to the end ; and I ought to be 

 able to do this satisfactorily even if I have not 

 succeeded, as, under unfavourable conditions of soil 

 and situation, I have done with my own hands every 

 portion of the work, from raising and establishing 

 the stocks to carrying off a champion challenge cup 

 at the Crystal Palace. Secondly, to give such de- 

 scriptions of the best known Eoses as should tell 

 of their faults and bad habits as well as of their 

 good qualities and perfections, since I have good 

 reason to believe a record of this sort will be wel- 



