2 



THE BOOK OF THE ROSE 



CHAP. 



and, above all, Rose exhibitors. It is not so that I 

 know of with other flowers ; the foremost prize-takers 

 in chrysanthemums or auriculas, for instance, are at 

 least supposed to know as much about the things 

 necessary for the welfare of those plants as other 

 people ; and in common life we do not find general 

 physicians proclaiming the ignorance and absurdity of 

 oculists, aurists and dentists in their several depart- 

 ments ; yet the specialists of the Rose are frequently 

 told by authorities in horticulture that their maxims 

 and modes are erroneous and faulty. 



In Mr. Robinson's most beautiful book, The English 

 Flower Garden, a fine example of this may be seen, the 

 vials of his wrath being fully poured out upon the 

 stupidities of Rose-books, and the general mistakes of 

 Rosarians. We are a most harmless folk with no desire 

 for recrimination, and I would only venture to point 

 out that our aims and points of view are different. He 

 looks upon the Rose as a decorative plant for the garden : 

 I look upon the plant, in most cases, only as a means 

 whereby I may obtain glorious Roses. 



Moreover, though some enthusiasts may think it 

 heretical, I do not consider the Rose preeminent as 

 a decorative plant ; several simpler flowers, much less 

 beautiful in themselves, have, to my mind, greater 

 value for general effect in the garden ; and even the 

 cut blooms are, I imagine, more difficult to arrange in 

 water, for artistic decoration, than lighter, simpler and 

 less noble flowers. A good Rose should stand in a vase 

 by itself as a queen should ; then let any other flower 

 or combination of flowers rival her if they can. So, 

 with all the best Roses I should not wish for or expect 

 any general display at a distance, but come close and 

 be content if I can find but one perfect bloom. 



