I 
126 
STANDARD ROSES.—MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 
STANDARD ROSES. 
(U10 long as English gardens afford examples of beauty and cultivation, for all the rest of the world, 
1^) so long will the Rose maintain its position as the popular favourite. We have flowers with greater 
brilliancy of colour and chaster symmetry of form, which bloom earlier and last longer—whose value 
is even increased by their having no thorns; and yet, in whatever aspect it is viewed, whether as being 
hardy and easily grown, or as fragrant and agreeably coloured, or as handsome and beautiful in all its 
parts, or whether it is associated with the sports of childhood and the pleasures of old age—the Ruse, 
both of the garden and field, has more fond admirers than any other flower either native or exotic, the 
emblem of the country itself, no other flower is so fit a representative of an English garden, and no 
other flower has stronger claims to embellish the architecture of an English home. Since, then, the Rose 
is so much and so justly esteemed, it is not surprising that its cultivation should be carried on to an 
extent commensurate with its great merits, and unequalled in any other country. 
It is thought, however, that its culture as a standard, has been kept somewhat stationary and that 
but few persons are aware of the magnitude to which the Rose may be grown, or the admirable effect 
which it may be made to produce on a lawn or pleasure ground; yet with a sufficiently strong stem, 
and a system of careful and patient training, there can be no reasonable doubt but that standard Roses 
could be grown to the size and form of the ordinary examples of Weeping Ash, having the branches all 
produced from the top of a single stem, and flowing downwards on all sides; thus forming at the same 
time an example of English cultivation, and a very ornamental object for a lawn. It may be also ob¬ 
served that the construction of a comfortable seat round its stem would afford a cool and fragrant 
retreat diming the hot days of summer, so that in fact those who could not enjoy the luxury of a 
bed of Roses might at least have the curtains. 
It is not wished to be inferred, that either the Dog Rose or the Manettii Rose, could be grown to the 
strength of the Ash stem, nor is such vigour necessary in a standard, trained in the manner alluded to. 
There does not seem, however, to be any reason for supposing that either may not be grown ten or 
twelve feet high, and with proportionate strength. But the chief if not the whole support for the 
head must be provided artificially by driving down a stout stake or pole, to which the stock may be 
fastened, and then the branches directed downwards to small hoops of wire of any diameter, from five 
to fifteen or even twenty feet according to taste. The climbing or spreading sorts of Rose are of course 
the most suitable for growing in this form, bat indeed almost any Rose may be selected; and if in the 
course of a few years the branches are carried out to a great radius, some light props might be neces¬ 
sary to the wires at the interior. If grown simply as an object of decoration on the lawn, the 
standard may have a stock about seven feet in height, and the diameter of the head at the extremity 
of the branches, may be about five feet, so that in general form it would appear like a blunt cone. 
But if it is desired to combine the ease of the arbour with the elegance and beauty of the tree, then it 
must be grown to a larger scale, and provided with a seat round the stem. In this case the branches 
should be trained to the ground, so as completely to conceal the interior, an entrance being left at one 
side. The general management of the tree when once well established, is similar to that of Roses 
grown in the common way, and therefore need not be entered upon here.—P. F. K. 
Ifniirw. 
Seedling French Grapes .— Jouanen: Fifty-two seedlings of this Vine have fruited. Its habit is vigorous, 
the berries are oblong, and ripen about ten days before the common Chasselas, but are produced less freely; 
When raised from seed it presents the same defects, and is rather later. Morillon panache bears Grapes that 
are mostly black, a few white, some speckled, with much variety of foliage, form, and size of berry; all in the 
way of the Morillons, from which, in France, wine is made. Isabel (the Alexander of the United States), is 
very remarkable for its productiveness, and well deserving of attention by those who are curious, or interested 
in vegetable physiology; the plants raised from it vary much in general character. From a sowing made in 
1836 and 1837, of this Vine, about seventy plants were obtained, which assumed the most singular foliage. In 
some cases the leaves were like those of the Italian Poplar, the Maple, the Plane, and others, all unlike the 
usual form of the Vine leaves. All sizes are represented; some are very thick and much notched, but those 
Vines so singular in structure have not fructified. Among the plants having larger leaves, a few have borne 
passable fruit—one black variety, and three varieties, respectively white, yellowish, and red-brown. In these, 
the flavour of the Isabel is considerably modified, being less high, and more agreeable. In respect to size, 
that of the Isabel has never been surpassed, and rarely attained : the berry varies from the round, to the 
