ELLWAXGER ci BAHRYS 



Eoses for open air culture: they are really the uuiy oue> that have tlim for luade anv 

 mark as bedding-roses; (another season some of the othei-s may do as well, but we 

 doubt it") none have so healthy and vigorous habit as Michael Saunders, and none 

 ha .^e a shade of color at once so distinct and permanent. 



There are many old varieties of Eoses. and new ones also, that are offered by c.ther 

 houses, which are n^t found in our Catalogue, and an explanation of what guides our 

 selections may be appropriately made here. It is not to be supposed that anv large 

 number of connoiseui-s would exactly agree as to what are the best roses, and therefore 

 we reject some sorts which certain authorities would say ought to be retained. AVith 

 the immense number of kinds . introduced within the past forty years (doubtless 

 considerably more than three thousand), and the annual introduction of more than fifty 

 new sons, the amateur is greatly puzzled to know what to select, since among the vast 

 numbers in cultivation ai'e many utterly wortliless kinds, many which have merit but 

 are undesirable by reason of some radical defects, and many more which are intrinsically 

 fine, but not useful on account of close resemblance to others. Therefore a choice must 

 be made, and in making our selections we design retaining representatives of all the 

 really desirable forms and shades, choosing the most perfect of each type that are distinct. 

 AVe consider a perfect Eose one that excels in the following particulars, and in the 

 order named. 



FIEST. — Beauty of Color — as that which tii-st attracts us to a Eose : this must be 

 decided and pronoimced, or else of great delicacy and softness, and, withal, of 

 durability. For example, Fins the IX, Giant of Battles and all its type, the 

 darker varieties of the Victor Verdier type, all loose their color very quickly, 

 soon assuming a muddy hue not at all pleasing. 



SECOXD. — Beauty of Forx— without which color avails bat little. We have 

 globular, cup-shaped, imbricated and flat' forms, besides many modifications of 

 these. The finest of all is the globular Eose, but the other forms are pleasing 

 in their variety, and we should not wish to be confined to the one, but symrnetri/ 

 is positively required. Eoses that have irregular indentions, gnarled centres 

 and such malformations should be thrown out. 



THIED. — Feagkaxce — deprived of this no Eose can be perfect. "Whoever yet saw a 

 beautifiil Eose without wishing to inhale its odor ? Gratification in this is often 

 far more pleasing to us than the mere sight of beauty. 



FOUETH. — Peoffsiox a>'^d Coxtixfity of Blooai. We have altogether too many 

 kinds of so-called Hybrid Perpetual Eoses, which, though excelling in other 

 qualities are lamentably deficient in Autumnal blooms. 



FIFTH. — Vigor axd Healthfflxess of Growth. We want kinds that do not 

 require extraordinary treatment to produce satisfactory results, but such as will 

 thrive with proper care and attention and i^among Hybrid Eemontauts) that will 

 satisfactorily endure the extremes of summers heat and winter's cold. 



Our selections ai*e made with reference to these five qualities, and those kinds which 

 excel in all, are our most perfect Eoses, and most deserving of extensive culture. 

 Among Hybrid Eemontants, as has already been stated, we consider Alfred Colomb the 

 most perfect Eose we have. 



