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THE BOOK OF THE ROSE 



CHAP. 



mildew or to be spoilt by rain : a fine bloom, coming 

 pretty true, stout in petal, globular in shape, a trifle 

 weak in centre, but of beautiful velvety colour and 

 fragrant scent. Of full size and good lasting qualities 

 when grown strong on the briar, but a Rose of weak 

 constitution, of no use as a free bloomer or autumnal. 



Heinrich Sclmltheis (Bennett, 1882). — This was a most 

 useful introduction. A hardy strong Rose, of capital 

 growth and fine foliage, an early and free bloomer, and 

 a good autumnal. Not liable to mildew or injury from 

 rain. The flower has large handsome petals, and is of 

 beautiful shape and colour when young, but soon loses 

 both, the centre being generally disappointing. It must 

 be cut small and tied up for exhibition. An excellent 

 hardy Rose, of beautiful fresh colour, and large size, of 

 which the following sports have been issued, Paul's 

 Early Blush and Mrs. Harkness, lighter than the type 

 and too much alike, and Merrie England, a striped 

 Rose. 



Her Majesty (Bennett, 1885). — A well-named Rose. 

 We all know the fable of the lioness, the queen of 

 beasts, who, on being taunted with having only one 

 young one at a birth (which is not the least true, by 

 the bye), said it was so, but that one was a lion. We 

 acknowledge the imperial claims of Her Majesty, and 

 that when a bloom does come it is often a queen, but on 

 dwarf plants I have, till lately, rarely succeeded in getting 

 a bloom to each. It is a little better as a standard, 

 and is no use on the manetti. Manners and customs 

 are notoriously strict and exacting in royal circles, and 

 in this remarkable Rose we certainly have some striking 

 peculiarities. Of long, strong and yet robust growth 

 if well fed, but by no means free: it makes extra- 

 ordinary growth under favourable conditions, but a 



