SEPTEMBER. 



121 



MRS. WILLIAM PAUL ROSE. 



WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 



It is now somewhere about twenty-five years since Hybrid Perpetual 

 Hoses first made their appearance ; and, if they are not yet in full meridian 

 splendour, they are already far in advance of all the favourites of ancient days. 

 The Moss, the French, the Damask, the Hybrid Chinese, the Bourbon, the Tea- 

 scented, are still valuable from various points of view ; but the Hybrid Per- 

 petuals are conspicuous everywhere. In form, colour, size, variety, continuity 

 of flower and fragrance, they have gradually improved, the lesser luminaries of 

 the Rose-world growing pale as they advanced till they appear comparatively 

 dim, distant, and inconsequent. Not only are these Roses the chief ornament 

 of our gardens in the summer and autumn months, but they also figure most 

 conspicuously on the tables at our horticultural fetes. 



The subject of our present engraving, Mrs. William Paul, was raised 

 by M. Verdier, of the Rue du Marche, aux Chevaux, Paris, one of the oldest 

 and most respectable Rose-growers in France. Mr. William Paul says : — " I 

 first saw this flower as a seedling two years ago under circumstances which 

 fully tested its power of endurance ; it was towards the close of a sultry day. 

 The surrounding Roses were withered or blanched ; but this, owing to the 

 substance of the petals, was as fresh and beautiful as an opening flower. The 

 sun was sinking in the west, red and rayless behind a thick dark thunder- 

 cloud, realising that peculiar light under which flowers have an unusually 

 fervid glow. I cannot describe the colours better than by saying that they 

 were a reflex of that sky red and black (may we say lurid ?) — the colours of a 

 thunder cloud illumined by the sun." 



This beautiful Rose is above the average in size ; and in form, fulness, 

 and vigorous growth is quite distinct. We are much mistaken if Mrs. William 

 Paul does not prove, at least for exhibition purposes, the best Rose of the 

 present season. 



The Hybrid Perpetual Roses appear to thrive equally well as dwarfs or 

 standards. Some few of the most vigorous growers are well adapted for covering 

 walls, arches, and pillars. They delight in a rich strong soil, require close 

 pruning, and can scarcely be manured too highly. 



PRESERVING GRAPES. 



M. Rose Charmeux, of Thomery (one of the best growers of Chasselas 

 Grapes at Thomery, and son of the celebrated M. Charmeux who improved 

 the Thomery mode of training Vines, now in general use), has contrived 

 within a few years a new way of preserving Grapes, which has succeeded 

 better than any other plan hitherto in use. 



Contrive a place in a properly arranged fruit-house. Fasten against the 

 sides a series of small racks with notches in them, similar to those in which 

 wine-glasses are arranged in pantries, and place one above the other at about 

 12 inches apart. Place in each one of the notches of these racks a small 

 bottle three-quarters full of water, to which must be added a small quantity of 

 powdered charcoal to keep the water sweet. 



Gather the Grapes at the usual time, selecting the handsomest and most 

 perfect bunches, and those which have been thinned out. Cut those branches 

 which bear two bunches, and place the lower end of the branch in one of the 



YOL. II. K 



