112 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Hybrid Perpetual Roses. 



There is no record of the origin of this class, but it seems, 

 certain that it originated by hybridising several species or 

 strains, followed by careful selection. The name "Perpetual" was 

 given because of their blossoming all through the summer. 



Opinions differ, and probably will continue to differ, as to- 

 the best form in which to grow these brilliant Roses — standards,, 

 half-standards, or bush. All have strong advocates, and grow 

 high-class flowers. The half-standard is perhaps the best for 

 general purposes, being easy to examine, vigorous, and suf- 

 ficiently high to prevent splashing of the blossoms by heavy 

 storms. Some of the varieties are excellent for growing in bush 

 form, and if planted widely apart, the long shoots, instead of 

 being cut or pruned hard, may be left almost their full length, 



and pegged down to the 

 soil. In this way a mass 

 of flower is obtained, and 

 although the blossoms are 

 not of exhibition form, 

 they are first-rate for gar- 

 den decoration or cutting. 

 Standards and half- 

 standards must be rather 

 severely pruned, not only 

 to keep the heads within 

 reasonable bounds, but 

 also to ensure really fine 

 blossoms. In the first 

 place, all weak wood or 

 shoots that cross each 

 other or grow towards 

 the centre ought to be 

 cut out : such wood ob- 

 structs light and makes 

 the head a tangled mass. 

 Two or more buds may 

 be left at the base of 

 each shoot when pruning, 

 according to variety, as, for instance, weak-growing ones should 

 be cut in hard to cause them to grow more vigorously, but 

 very strong growers may with advantage be left longer, and 



Fig. 53. — Rose Baroness Rothschild. 



