XII 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 



267 



sweet, and occasionally good enough to show, making a 

 useful garden Rose. 



Souvenir de la Malmaison (Beluze, 1843). — A well- 

 known old favourite, of the true Bourbon race, and aptly 

 named as a remembrance of the garden of the Empress 

 Josephine where modern Rose culture may be said to 

 have taken its rise. Of excellent growth in a good 

 climate and soil, always stout and stiff, and free from 

 mildew, but the half opened blossoms are injured by 

 rain. The shape is flat when expanded, and it cannot 

 now be looked upon as a show Rose, but it is very free 

 blooming and is noteworthy for the two good qualities 

 of the Bourbons, abundant fragrance and excellence in 

 the autumn. Indeed it comes often better in Septem- 

 ber, as the flowers of the first crop are frequently 

 divided and malformed. An excellent garden Rose, or in 

 good soil for bedding or massing purposes. A climbing 

 sport of it has been introduced from Australia. 



Spenser (W. Paul and Son, 1892). — Of too recent 

 introduction to have earned a reliable character, but 

 apparently a stouter and fuller Baroness Rothschild, 

 with similar growth and habit. Likely to be very 

 valuable, if this estimate should be maintained : but, as 

 seen up to the present, its additional fulness makes it 

 a bad opener in wet weather. 



Star of Waltham (W. Paul and Son, 1875).— Of 

 strong growth with magnificent foliage, not very 

 liable to mildew but requiring fine weather. This Rose 

 cannot be depended upon to come good, but it is a 

 splendid bloom when seen at its best, in petal, shape, 

 colour, smoothness, size, and lasting qualities. Not 

 one of the best as a free bloomer or autumnal, and will 

 not answer on poor land ; it requires the best of weather 

 to show its qualities to perfection, and should be left 



