290 



THE BOOK OF THE ROSE 



CHAP. 



a strong temptation arises to " dress " Madame Wille- 

 rnoz, or rather, say, to persuade her to unmask, by 

 bending down the outside petals. The effect is very 

 great, for not only does it make the bloom more of the 

 shape of which Rosarians approve and the size aj^pear 

 considerably larger, but also the inside of the petals is 

 naturally of a much purer and cleaner white than the 

 outside : and thus, by this simple process, the Rose 

 appears larger, better shaped., and of purer colour. It 

 is however distinctly " altering the character " of the 

 Rose, and the X.R.S. is probably right in setting its face 

 against the presentation of any bloom in a shape which 

 it never naturally assumes. On rare occasions it does 

 open well in hot weather with a good point in the centre, 

 and is then very fine. It does well as a dwarf, the stiff 

 upright character of the wood being well suited to this 

 term of culture. It cannot be called a free-bloomer or 

 good autumnal, or be generally recommended. 



Mareclud Xid (Pradel, 1864).— Of very strong 

 climbing growth, with magnificent foliage, practically 

 evergreen, but as liable to mildew as any in this class. 

 The blooms come often divided and discoloured on 

 standards in the open, much better on a wall though 

 losing colour in hot sun. and nearly always perfect under 

 glass. A most splendid Rose, the best of all the yellows, 

 and with strung claims to be called the epieen of all 

 Roses. It is grand inpetal. centre, shape, colour, fragrance, 

 lasting qualities, and size : a very free bloomer, and 

 though on a Avail the second blooms are not numerous, 

 it flowers throughout the season on standards where these 

 can be grown in the open. Very many of our best 

 R- ■>!•> lose their colour soon after being cut ; but Marechal 

 Xiel decidedly improves, and becomes of a deeper yellow 

 after being kept for a day or two in water. It was sent out 



