ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
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growing is as keen as his skill in their practical culture is great, 
tells me that although he was the first of English nurserymen to 
receive and exhibit this Eose, yet he does not know its history. 
Perhaps the publication of this note may elicit the facts of the case. 
It must be remembered, however, that Eose-growers and florists 
in general, seldom either conduct or record their experiments with 
that scrupulous regard to accuracy and jealous exclusion of possible 
sources of fallacy, which the scientific experimenter demands, and 
hence it may be that the pedigree of a florist's flower, though 
given in all good faith, may yet scarcely be a trustworthy docu- 
ment in the eyes of a physiologist. 
Lastly, it remains to be said that an opinion has been expressed 
by some, Mr. W. Paul among others, that this pink variety of 
Gloire de Dijon Eose is the same variety as that known as Belle 
do Bordeaux or Gloire de Bordeaux. But if this be so, then 
the question arises, what was the origin of Belle de Bordeaux ? 
Is it not likely that it too was a seedling variety, or a sport 
(bud-variety) from Gloire de Dijon ? ^ 
In these matters the practical florists have an advantage over their 
scientific brethren. The Eosarians have, in some way or another, 
become possessed of a beautiful addition to their already rich store, 
and are content with the fact as it stands. The physiologists are left 
to pore over the why and wherefore. It is most desirable that each 
should help the other, the florist by carefully noting the 
phenomena as they present themselves to him, the physiologist 
by co-relating the facts supplied by the florist, supplying 
their interpretation, and deducing from them rules or laws 
which will guide the florist in his culture. It requires no 
great stretch of faith to foresee the time when the physiologist 
will be able to supply the florist with a clue whereby he may, 
within limits, be able to produce at will a pink Gloire de Dijon 
Eose, or whatever else the needs or caprice of the time may 
dictate. 
To do this requires on the part of the Eosarian strict accuracy 
of experiment and faithfulness of record; Too often it is to be 
feared the pedigrees given are at best mere guess-work. 
* Since this was written we have ascertained that Belle de Bordeaux was 
a seedling variety from Gloire de Dijon, raised by M. Lartay. 
