ROSES FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES 



129 



This class includes practically all of the im- 

 portant double roses that are supposed to 

 be hardy in the North. This class has been 

 created by hybridising the French Rose and 

 the allied Damask Rose with the China Rose, 

 of which the Tea Rose is the favourite 

 type. The Tea Rose is the most fragrant 

 and has the most beautiful bud of any Rose, 

 but the main reason for crossing it with 

 the roses of Western Europe is its ever- 

 blooming character. The Tea Rose blooms 

 intermittently all the summer and autumn, 

 whereas the roses of western Europe usually 

 give a lot of bloom in the month of June and 

 do not flower again until the next year. Un- 

 fortunately the Tea Rose is not hardy, i. e., 

 it will not survive the winter outdoors in cold 

 climates, except in special locations, and with 

 special treatment. Tea Roses are the glory 

 of the South and of California and the delight 

 of the Northern amateur who is willing to 

 fuss with them. They need winter overcoats 

 of straw or they must be covered a foot or 

 two deep with manure to prevent the roots 

 from freezing. The Hybrid Tea, a blending 

 of the tender Tea and the H.P., is hardier 

 than the Tea proper and gives some of the 



