THE HYBRID TEA. 



533 



no means certain that the Brier is the best for all. For instance, ' Mrs. 

 W. J. Grant,' I am inclined to think, prefers the Manetti, whilst * Clara 

 Watson,' with us, has on the much despised Polyantha given the finer 

 flowers and stronger growth. Does not the question of cultivation there- 

 fore seem to rest on this basis — knowledge of each variety gained only by 

 personal observation and experience ? 



V. Raisers of Hybrid Teas. 



Hybrid Teas having become so prominent during the last ten years, 

 it would be well at such a gathering of Rose-growers as this to place on 

 record the names of some of the pioneers in this new departure, giving 

 honour where honour is due. For the best Hybrid Teas we are prin- 

 cipally indebted to H. Bennett, A. Dickson & Sons, Nabonnand, Pernet- 

 Ducher, and W. Paul & Son, sharing between them forty-four varieties. 

 Paul & Son, of Cheshunt, led the way with ' Cheshunt Hybrid,' sent out 

 in 1873 ; for, although some Roses which have since been recognised as 

 Hybrid Teas were already in cultivation but classed as Hybrid Perpetuals, 

 Messrs. Paul & Son were the first to detect and establish the difference 

 between Hybrid Teas and other Roses. 



Of the varieties raised by Mr. H. Bennett the best, I think, is 

 ' Viscountess Folkestone.' Messrs. A. Dickson & Sons have proved them- 

 selves his worthy successors, and are well to the front as successful 

 hybridisers, some of the most valuable Hybrid Teas emanating from this 

 firm. Among the best of those already tested are ' Mrs. W. J. Grant,' 

 ' Bessie Brown,' 'Liberty,' 'Killarney,' 'Marjorie,' ' Countess of Caledon,' 

 and the three beautiful singles, 'Irish Beauty,' 'Irish Modesty,' and 

 'Irish Glory.' Last year we received from this firm 'Mamie,' 'Duchess 

 of Portland,' ' Mildred Grant,' Roses of considerable merit ; and this year 

 are promised ' Alice Lindsell ' and possibly ' Florence Pemberton.' In M. 

 Nabonnand's collection ' Bardou Job ' takes the leading position, and M. 

 Pernet-Ducher will long be remembered for some of the very finest 

 productions, such as 'Caroline Testout,' ' Gustave Regis,' and 'Marquise 

 Litta,' closely followed by ' Madame Abel Chatenay,' 'Madame Cadeau 

 Ramey,' and ' Souvenir du President Carnot.' A grand record. To 

 William Paul & Son we owe, amongst others, ' Exquisite,' ' The Waltham 

 Climbers,' and ' Tennyson.' Guinoisseau has given us ' Augustine 

 Guinoisseau,' Geo. Prince contributes ' Clara Watson,' M. Geschwind 

 has made our gardens gay with ' Gruss .an Teplitz,' and Paul 

 & Son our dinner tables in early spring with 'Lady Battersea.' There 

 are many others one would like to mention, but time forbids. They shall 

 be recorded in an appended list. 



Concluding Remarks. 



We are informed by Lindley, in his monograph of the Rose, that the 

 name " Rose " is derived from the Celtic word rhodd and the Greek 

 pohiv, signifying " red " ; but why is it that the Hybrid Tea class, speaking 

 generally, is so deficient in reds of a decided colour ? Of Hybrid Per- 

 petuals we possess magnificent reds, such as ' Horace Vernet,' 'Charles 

 Lefebvre,' and ' Victor Hugo.' When shall we have a ' Horace Vernet ' 



