XII 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 



2G1 



appears to be a valuable introduction, free-flowering, 

 and of fine form and colour ; but it is much too soon to 

 give it a reliable character. 



Paul Neuron (Levet, 1869). — Alphabetical order is 

 strictly impartial, and we have here, following three Gold 

 Medallists, one of the " best abused " of Roses. Of un- 

 usually strong growth and foliage, almost entirely 

 untouched by mildew and little injured by rain, with 

 giant blooms, stout in petal and very full, Paul Neyron 

 is yet justly considered to be too coarse, and wanting in 

 delicacy and symmetry, for a florist's flower. It is, how- 

 ever, highly esteemed in France and America, and many 

 thousands are yearly exported to the latter country, where 

 they are principally grown under glass. The outside 

 world have often (most unjustly) taunted Rose exhibitors 

 with going in for mere size, it being their idea, I believe, 

 that Edouard Morren and Paul N eyron are the special 

 darlings of our hearts. I remember on one occasion a 

 worthy gentleman sending six Paul Neyrons with con- 

 siderable confidence to a show in his neighbourhood 

 and instructing his gardener to pick out the " biggest." 

 They formed a most ludicrous sight against other well 

 shown Roses : so utterly overblown, shapeless, and 

 discoloured that a cow would have turned up her nose 

 at them. It is occasionally shown in fair form, and 

 would perhaps be oftener thus exhibited, medium-sized 

 flowers not too much thinned being chosen, but Rosarians 

 have felt the weight of the unjust stigma alluded to, 

 and poor Paul Neyron, the biggest of Roses, has become 

 a by-word and a reproach. Fairly free-flowering and 

 pretty good in autumn, with strong growth and con- 

 stitution, doing well on all stocks, it is a good garden 

 Rose for those who admire a mass of petals and colour 

 of the pseony type. But, taking also into considera- 



