A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF ROSES. 
35 
florists have, within the last twenty years, greatly excelled in ruse cul¬ 
ture, and particularly in obtaining a vast number of new varieties from 
seed. They excel also in their modes of working and manner of 
ing the plant; and so extensively is the culture pursued that it 
a distinct branch of nursery business. 
We have often admired the perseverance of our neighbours in this 
department of floriculture, and have been surprised to see the number 
of distinct varieties which were named in their lists; but we had no 
idea that any one in this country equalled, in any degree, the rose- 
growers in the vicinity of Paris. The catalogue before us, however, 
shows that Messrs. Rivers have followed closely, if not fairly overtaken, 
the French roseraieists, as this published list of their assortment clearly 
shows. 
The catalogue is not a mere rank of names. The sorts are arranged 
in groups, under their most distinctive characters; and much of their 
history, and the treatment they require, is given under each section of 
the tribe. The sections are, Moss Roses, Provence or Cabbage Roses, 
Perpetual or Autumnal Roses, Hybrid China Roses, varieties of 
Rosa Alba, Damask Roses, Rosa Gallica or French Roses, select 
Roses of uncertain origin. Climbing Roses, China Roses, Tea-scented 
China Roses, Miniature or Dwarf China Roses, Noisette Roses, 
L’lsle de Bourbon Roses, Musk Roses, Macartney Roses, Sweet 
Briars, and Scotch Roses. Besides these sections, Messrs. Rivers have 
miscellaneous collections, which are offered at very reasonable prices. 
The catalogue is really a very useful monograph of the genus,, 
and is well worth the notice of all lovers of this delightful and hardy 
tribe. In again attempting a descriptive catalogue of roses,” says 
Mr. Rivers, “ I hope to be excused errors which it seems almost impos¬ 
sible wholly to avoid. Roses vary so much in their form and colour in. 
different seasons and situations, as sometimes scarcely to be recognised. 
I have seen those two dark varieties, George the Fourth and the Tus¬ 
cany, lose their colour and become blush ; and changes as extreme take 
place in others. What I hope to accomplish is, to give an idea of what 
they ought to be in form and colour under favourable circumstances of 
soil and situation; and where there is so much confusion as at present 
in the names and arrangement of roses, to be among the first in attempt¬ 
ing a correct nomenclature. This has become more than ever neces¬ 
sary, as auction sales often take place in London, in which good names 
are appended to the lots, which it is found afterwards the lots do not 
deserve. This should be a caution to cultivators against admitting 
such into their catalogues till they have proved their accuracy,” 
