282 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE chap. 



hibitors, notably Mr. E. B. Lindsell, think very 

 highly of it. 



Lady Ursula (A. Dickson & Sons, 1908). — A Eose 

 of promise but of too recent introduction to be more 

 than mentioned. It is a strong grower, very free 

 flowering with blooms of good shape and high 

 centre. By many thought to be the best of Messrs. 

 A. Dickson's 1908 set. 



La France (Guillot, 1867). — Mons. Guillot must 

 have been inspired when he gave the name dearest 

 to Frenchmen to the best Eose " La France" has 

 produced. If everything be taken into consideration 

 that can be said for or against a Eose, I am of 

 opinion that this popular variety might be called the 

 Queen of Eoses. The growth and foliage are good 

 and very characteristic, and but little liable to 

 mildew. It should be very lightly pruned, especially 

 if on strong soil, and the buds should not be thinned 

 too much, or the flowers will come " bull-headed " 

 or " balled," the petals covering the centre too far 

 so that it cannot open. I have seen plants of this 

 variety in beds with other H.P. Eoses, and subjected 

 to the same " liberal treatment," utterly failing to 

 produce a single decent flower : and the same plants, 

 when moved to poorer soil, unpruned and compara- 

 tively neglected, giving splendid show blooms in the 

 season and a fine succession all through the autumn. 

 They are very large and unique and characteristic in 

 shape and colour : they should be and often are of a 

 particularly silvery brilliance, but though not more 

 injured than many others by rain, it is difficult in 

 some sorts of weather to keep them " clean." It is 

 not a good laster in very hot weather, but in this 

 matter also there are many worse. The scent is most 



