PREFACE. 



The Spring and early Summer of 1881 have been more like an English season than 

 we have had in many years ; the cool weather and frequent showers made the flowering 

 jieriod later, and brought on the blooms very gradually, one following another, unlike 

 the short, precipitate blaze of glory to which we are accustomed, and which so suddenly 

 dies away under the influence of a burning July sun, leaving here and there, as embers, 

 a few good representatives of Alfred Colomb or Pierre Notiing, the after-glow which 

 reminds us of the brightness and splendor that were. Among the first of the Roses to 

 flower was Climbing Jules Margottin. a long row of this (two year old plants) was literally 

 covered with a mass of flowers and buds, and proves this a valuable early Sort. The 

 finest of the Hybrid Remontants were Alfred Colomb, Francois Michelon, Fisher Holmes, 

 Marie Baumann, Marie Mady, among the red and bright crimson roses, and among the 

 deep crimsons Abel Carriere, Louis Van Houtte, Pierre Notting and Xavier Olibo stood 

 out most prondnently; Baron de Bonstetten, Charles Lefebvre, Horace Vernet, Jean 

 Liabaud, Mme. Victor Verdier and Maurice Bernardin were also very fine. The season 

 seemed most favorable for the dark shades, those of the Victor Verdier type loosing 

 color sooner than usual ; Baroness Rothschild gave much the largest number of fine pink 

 flowers. Maurice Bernardin has always been one of the most productive June Roses, 

 but we never saw it give such a wonderful profusion of flowers of high finish as this 

 year. Francois Michelon has again proved the best late sort, yielding more fine blooms 

 late in July than any of the others. The most generally useful Rose is Alfred Colomb, 

 none among the Hybrid Remontants give so many fine blooms, throughout the entire 

 season, as this ; and no variety in any other class, excepting always La France, can 

 compete with it. 



In the Spring we planted two circular beds of Hybrid Teas, in order to test their 

 value as bedding Roses. In the outer row of the smaller bed, we put 31 La France, 

 next to it 24 Duchess of Westminster, then 17 Beauty of Stapleford, and in the fourth and 

 inner row eight Duchess of Connaught. In the larger bed we put 55 La France on the 

 outside, next to it 47 Jean Sisley, then 39 Michael Saunders, and after this smaller 

 quantities of Hon. George Bancroft and the others. The plants, when put out, were 

 taken from three inch pots and were all of the same age and vigor. Up to this time, 

 (August 15th), La France, as we had confidently expected, has proved much the best; 

 next in value, and in order named, are Michael Saunders, Mme. Bernaix, Captain Christy, 

 Mdlle. Brigitte Violet, Duchess of Westminster and Beauty of Stapleford, the two former 

 being decidedly superior. None of the others are likely to prove equal to these for out 

 door culture. While the foliage of La France remained clean, most of the othei's were 

 attacked, during the early part of July, with mildew, notably Jean Sisley, Beauty of 

 Stapleford and Pearl. Michael Saunders, Mme. Alexandre Bernaix and Duchess of Con. 

 naught remained nearly clean. We believe the two former will make very desirable 



