NATIONAL ROSE CONFERENCE. 



183 



these hybrids from the parent group has not been made too soon, 

 although I think some varieties that have been placed here 

 might have remained with the " Tea-scented," and others have 

 been placed with the " Hybrid Perpetuals." They are hybrids 

 between individuals of these groups, and are not always a 

 distinct departure from one or the other parent. We gain some- 

 thing in constancy of flowering by this cross, but the offspring 

 is often susceptible of injury by frost. 



Section XIV. 



Group 40. — The Musk Bose. — Interesting from the peculiar 

 odour of the flowers, and as the parent on one side of the 

 " Noisette " roses. 



Group 41. — The Noisette Bose. — The original varieties of 

 this group produced their flowers in immense clusters, a pecu- 

 liarity which does not distinguish the modern kinds. It was a 

 pleasing and distinct feature, which ought not to be allowed to 

 slip away. Many of the modern kinds are hybrids of the " Tea- 

 scented," and are not so hardy as the original " Noisette." 



Group 42. — The Noisette Perpetual. — These are selected 

 from the group " Hybrid Perpetual " on account of flowering in 

 clusters ; they are hardy, and, although not large enough for 

 show roses, are extremely pretty in the garden. 



Section XV. 



Group 43. — The Ayrshire Perpetual. — This group is made 

 for the convenience of one autumn-flowering Ayrshire Kose, 

 " Madame Viviand Morel." 



Section XVI. 



Group 44. — The Polyantha Perpetual. — These roses are so 

 novel in character, and so beautiful — " Perle d'Or " for example 

 — that one could dwell long on their charms. They seem to be 

 hardy and free flowering, and will no doubt soon rise into a 

 large and important group. The flowers are small, hundreds of 

 them sometimes clustering on a single stem. 



With this group I conclude my task. This is the way in 

 which I would group the garden roses of the present day. But 

 I believe great alterations and improvements lie before us in 

 the future. To those who are engaged in the floricultural 

 development of the rose, I would say, do not depend too much 

 on following the beaten track, as the results of doing so will 



