CHAPTER XIII 



SELECTIONS 



This must always be the most unsatisfactory part of 

 a Rose-book, both to the author and the reader. In 

 the first place, the compiler of a selection feels, or 

 ought to, that he has at least one or two favourites 

 which he places in a higher position than most of his 

 brother Rosarians do, and that there are perhaps as 

 many popular sorts that he does not succeed with. His 

 own situation, soil, or climate has probably more to do 

 with this, in most cases, than actual personal pre- 

 dilections. 



Next, a certain number of new Roses, issued within 

 the last three years, have to be dealt with ; and, their 

 quality and characters being not yet established, it is 

 difficult to know what to do with them. Great mis- 

 takes, either way, may be made in attempting to rank 

 them too soon, but on the other hand it seems im- 

 possible to ignore notable issues. I have therefore 

 only included varieties sent out later than 1891 where 

 there seems to be a character already established. 



And also no one who makes a selection of Roses can 

 shut his eyes to the fact that such a list, especially if 

 given in order of merit, must be of very ephemeral 

 value. New Roses,, working their way to the front, noi^ 



