'58 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



found except in botanical collections and a few of our oldest cottage- gardens, they were 

 sensational roses at that time. From more or less all over the world roses have been 

 brought to this country, and even our own islands possess several very distinct and 

 showy native species and varieties. 



It does not seem quite certain where our old Blush Monthly Eose originated, but it 

 was known here in 1789. Eosa indica, the common China, has given us an immense 

 variety, two of the chief classes or sections being the tea-scented and noisettes, now 

 classed together by most growers. We shall have a few words to say upon this later 

 on when dealing with classification. 



What school- child does not remember the history of the Wars of the Eoses, and the 

 pretty sentiment of the red and white roses amalgamating their colours at the same 

 time as the two hostile houses were united? To this day^ one of our most showy 

 garden-roses is known as York and Lancaster, although more than one other variety 

 is often confused with it. 



A glance at the names of roses, whether old or newer varieties, calls to memory 

 the most famous of our ancestors, and also a large number of notable persons still 

 with us. It is during the last thirty years that roses have so greatly improved ; 

 but we had a few grand varieties previously, some of the best being Alfred Colomb, 

 Charles Lefebvrc, Beauty of Waltham, Camille Bernardin, Dr. Andry, Duchesse de 

 Morny, Due de Wellington, Fisher Holmes, General Jacqueminot, Marie Baumann, 

 Maurice Bernardin, Prince Camille de Eohan, Senateur Vaisse, Xavier Olibo, 

 Devoniensis, Madame Bravy, Marechal Kiel, Eubens, Niphetos, Souvenir d'Elise 

 Vardon, Souvenir d'un Ami, Souvenir de la Malmaison, John Hopper, Madame Falcot, 

 and Gloire de Dijon. This is a grand list, and all are still among our very best roses. 



As the years went on, we obtained new varieties of sterling merit almost annually. 

 The names are too numerous for citation, but as an example, a few of the best raised 

 or distributed during the following five years may be mentioned : — Baronne de 

 Eothschild, Comtesse d' Oxford, Dupuy Jamain, Louis van Houtte, La France, 

 Catherine Mermet, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Marie van Houtte, Boule de Neige, and 

 Paul Neyron. Good varieties came even more rapidly during the ensuing decade, but 

 we must not attempt to name these, or there will be little space left for cultural and 

 other notes. 



Eoses must always be popular, and in no country can they be seen in such perfection 

 as England and Ireland. Our Continental friends may have better facilities for 



