CHAPTEE YIIL 



Cultivation of the Rose, 



Nymphs who haunt th' embowering shades, 



Poesy's enchanting maids, 



Woo thee, Rose! Thy charms inspire 



All the raptures of the lyre ; 



Cull we straight the inviting Rose, 



Shielded by the thorn it grows; 



Cull the Rose! what boots the smart ? 



Countless sweets regale the heart." 



Thus sang Anacreon, the Greek poet, hundreds of years ago, in praise 

 of the Queen of Flowers, which was used to decorate the temple and 

 the palace — the solemn rites of religion, and the festal gayety of the 

 banquet. 



France excels all other nations in the production of new varieties of 

 this loyely flower. The Empress Josephine collected eyery variety then 

 eultiyated, for a rosary at Malmaison ; and, under her patronage, the 

 culture of roses became speedily the fashion. The skill and patience of 

 the florists produced more beautiful varieties, under the stimulus thus 

 given to their trade ; and they have continued to give us yearly many 

 rich and rare roses ; but have not yet succeeded in producing a blue 

 rose. The English florists are but little behind the French, in their 

 attention to this charming flower; and our own nurserymen yearly pro- 

 duce many beautiful varieties. • 



Thousands of named sorts are ofiered to us ; and it is very hard to 

 make a selection when all possess so much merit. It is usually best, in 

 purchasing plants, to leave the selection to the florist, merely stating the 

 climate, and soil in which they will grow. 



