256 



THE BOOK OF THE ROSE chap. 



Marie Body (Fontaine, 1865). — Syn. Comtesse de 

 Choiseul. Capital strong growth and foliage, not very 

 liable to mildew, but the flowers are utterly destroyed 

 by any rain, even when quite in the bud state. Requires 

 dry hot weather and then frequently brilliant and 

 superb ; a striking contrast to the ugly brown rotting 

 balls which are seen in a showery time. The blooms 

 are large and particularly heavy, and any poet who 

 speaks of being " pelted with Roses " as an sesthetical 

 luxury may, I think, be convinced of error if he will 

 allow me access to my Marie Radys in a damp season. 

 A free bloomer but does not shine as an autumnal. The 

 buds are very hard and do not open readily, but a fair 

 proportion come well if the weather be right, with stout 

 petals, very full centre, globular shape sometimes 

 rather rough, brilliant red colour, and capital lasting 

 qualities. It does not do well as a maiden, as is 

 common with those Roses which are extra full, and to 

 my mind has deteriorated somewhat in the last few 

 years. Still it is a good healthy, hardy, late sort, 

 likely to be in demand after a dry season, and to be 

 neglected after a wet one. 



Marie Verdier (Verdier, 1877). — Of short growth but 

 fairly strong, with good foliage, very green in the 

 spring. Not very liable to mildew, but loses colour 

 in rain. The blooms come generally well, the shape 

 being lovely, externally of the form of a chalice, with 

 the centre most regular and symmetrical. Its strong- 

 points are the size, thickness, and smoothness of its 

 petals ; in the last two particulars it is hard to be sur- 

 passed. Fairly free blooming, but not good as an 

 autumnal. A most refined and high class Rose, not 

 very hardy in constitution, but particularly noticeable 

 for its regularity and smoothness. 



