XII 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 



245 



promising ; but not yet sufficiently tried to have its full 

 value and possible demerits described. 



La Fratcheur (Pernet and Ducher, 1891). — Also a new 

 Hybrid Tea, of high promise. The growth is moderate, 

 the buds long and pointed, and the blooms large but 

 not lasting, with fine high centres and broad smooth 

 outer petals. It should be remembered that as a rule 

 all the Hybrid Teas, as well as the true Teas, give better 

 flowers when grown as standards. 



La France (Guillot, 1867). — Very well known and 

 popular, a Rose by itself, of great merit and of a 

 thoroughly distinct type, pronounced somewhat sud- 

 denly by the National Rose Society to be a Hybrid 

 Tea. There does not appear to be sufficient evidence 

 or authority for this distinction, and opinions on the 

 matter are divided ; but some signs of affinity to the 

 China race are to be seen in the habit and freedom of 

 bloom. It seemed likely to be the founder of a new race, 

 but Augustine Guinnoisseau, Duchess of Albany, Duchess 

 of Leeds, and Danmark have only appeared of late years, 

 and not one of them is an improvement upon the original. 

 The growth and foliage are good and very characteristic, 

 not much liable to mildew, but the blooms are rather 

 sensitive to rain. In strong rich soil, or if too closely 

 pruned and thinned, the blooms often come spherical and 

 ball-like without defined shape, but on lighter land and 

 when grown as a standard the form is very fine. The 

 petals are good but the centre is sometimes weak or 

 divided. The colour is beautiful, and should be of a 

 silvery brilliance, but it is rather difficult to keep the 

 flowers " clean." In freedom of bloom and as an 

 autumnal it is of the very highest class : of the largest 

 size, but not a good laster, and should be cut young in 

 hot weather as it opens quickly. The scent is most 



