1871. ] 
ROSES AND ROSE-CULTURE. 
245 
of the group ; but can we say it is one of the best of perpetual bloomers ? No, 
no, to call things by their right names, these and others are among the finest of 
show Roses in summer, and are of additional value for giving an occasional flower 
in autumn, but they cannot properly be called “ perpetual.” The raisers of seed¬ 
ling Roses have yet half a century’s work before them to produce flowers equal in 
size, brilliancy, and beauty to Brennus, Coupe d’Hebe, Charles Lawson, Paul Ricaut, 
Boula de Nanteuil, the old Moss, &c., and flowering as constantly and as abundantly 
as the old Monthly or China Rose. That this will ultimately be attained I have no 
doubt; but it will be by instalments which we must accept thankfully, and make 
the best of what we have until we obtain what we desire. Thus we dispose of a 
numerically large majority of what are called “ Hybrid Perpetual ” Roses. But 
there are others answering more truly to this name, of which the Geant des 
Batailles may be taken as the type. Then there is a third race, with more of the 
Bourbon blood in their veins, of which we may instance Louise Odier. The 
flowers of these are not large, nor are the colours as yet greatly varied, but they 
are of good form and substance, and really perpetual. The Geant des Batailles 
and Louise Odier Roses may perhaps, with propriety, be called Perpetual; but if 
we want the most constant of the name, we must seek them among the u Bourbon,” 
“ China,” u Noisette,” and “ Tea-Scented.” The Bourbon Roses are among 
autumn’s choicest gems. The flowers of some varieties are small and not over¬ 
double ; in the summer they are often of indifferent quality, and are eclipsed by 
the gaudier denizens of the garden. But on the approach of autumn, when 
leaves and flowers are long bathed in dew, they break upon us in resplendent 
beauty. It is September; I have been a fortnight absent from my roses, and the 
first task assigned myself is a morning’s walk. It is a cold grey dawn, misty and 
chilly ; the sun and clouds are struggling for the mastery; as we pass among our 
Roses the dew-drops are shaken to the ground. We are now among the Bour¬ 
bons, and the flowers are as plentiful as leaves in Vallambrosa. Beautiful they 
are too. Smaller in size and lighter in colour than in summer, they are of a 
brighter and clearer complexioh. Souvenir de Malmaison is chaster and more 
beautiful than ever. The Queen is a queen still, while Prince Albert is all we 
ever thought of him and something more. Dr. Berthet, Dr. Leprestre, George 
Peabody, and. Reveil are of a rich brilliant tint, which warms one to look on ; 
Acidalie, Celine Gonod, and Marquis Balbiano are an embodiment of loveliness, 
while Victor Emmanuel is a masterpiece of symmetry and beauty. 
But there are other groups of true u autumnals ” to "which we must do equal 
justice. There are Noisette Roses, pure and hybridized, equally remarkable for the 
large clusters of flowers they produce, and for the late season at which they 
bloom. Aimee Vibert and Miss Glegg, each in itself is a bridal bouquet; Desprez 
a fleurs jaunes is still one of the sweetest roses in the garden ; the pure and 
delicate tints of Lamarque are unrivalled at any season; the Cloth of Gold, 
token it blooms , is large, and rich, and matchless; and Ophirie, with its salmon 
