TEA-ROSE TRIFLES. 



559 



TEA-ROSE TRIFLES. 



By Osmond G. Orpen, F.R.H.S. 



" Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle. 11 



It is not my intention in these short notes to go fully into the cultivation 

 of Tea-roses, but simply to mention a few of those trifles which, in my 

 opinion, tend to success or failure ; and I am confident that success 

 depends more on a common-sense observance of trifling details than on 

 the adoption of a system of culture differing materially from the practice 

 that generally obtains. 



Every phase in Rose cultivation has been so fully discussed that'I feel 

 that much I shall say will savour of repetition, and to many it will not 

 prove particularly interesting or instructive because of their intimate 

 acquaintance with the subject. I am fully aware, also, that to many 

 rosarians my remarks will seem too obvious and elementary ; my remarks, 

 however, are not specially intended for the skilled rosarian, and I hope 

 that those who are not far advanced in our art may gain some hints 

 that may be useful in themselves and tend to promote a desire for further 

 information. I also hope that what I shall say will induce those who 

 have not already done so to commence the culture of the Tea-scented 

 varieties, which, in my opinion, are the most charming of all our 

 Roses. 



Many rosarians say that they cannot grow Teas, as their soil or 

 situation, or both, are not suitable ; but I believe in many instances 

 they have come to this conclusion without having given them a fair trial. 

 I have not found them more difficult to grow or less hardy than many 

 varieties usually looked upon as easy of cultivation, and able to bear 

 without injury our average winters. 



I do not propose to give what are my ideals as to position and soil, as 

 I prefer to speak of the details from actual experience rather than to 

 theorise, and I shall endeavour to show some of the conditions under 

 which I have grown the Roses I have exhibited. It is my firm belief that 

 anyone with a true love for Roses may grow Teas successfully in nearly 

 any position, though, of course, some positions are much more desirable 

 than others. 



My garden is on the side of a hill — 130 ft. above sea-level — and faces 

 S.E. It is well protected on the N.E. and N.W. by a high fence and by 

 fruit-trees. I consider the position and aspect as good as can be found 

 for the purpose, and am of the opinion that the side of a hill is a better 

 position than on a flat plain, as the frosts are less severe, the air as it 

 cools rolling down into the valley below. 



The question of height above sea-level I do not consider of any im- 

 portance ; but high ground relatively to that near it I consider a great 

 advantage. I am convinced that the pure dry air of East Anglia plays a 

 more important part in the cultivation of Roses, and especially of Teas, 

 than anything else. 



