206 
THE LADIES,' FLORAL CABINET. 
from each other, in the habit of growth and in other 
peculiarities, may be the varieties which are tc le used 
as parents, without preventing a successful crossing of 
the two. 
In crossing Roses, we are most certain to attain satis¬ 
factory results by blending seed-bearing varieties which 
have several characteristic features in common: thus, 
varieties of the same type will nearly always effect 
good crosses, as General Jacqueminot with Xavier 
Olibo. Madame Victor Yerdier with E. Y. Teas: but. ou 
account of a certain resemblance which must prevail 
among the kinds of one type, we are less likely to ob¬ 
tain new sorts of any marked individuality than would 
result from hybridizing varieties of one group by those 
of another not too widely separated group: in other 
words, we should avoid the extremes of crossing varie¬ 
ties too much alike, and of hybridizing one kind by 
another so widely removed in characteristics that a 
successful, healthy progeny cannot result. Here is a 
vast field still largely unexplored, in which to study 
and experiment. This is not a matter to be confined to 
scientists: all who truly love Roses, all that have some 
knowledge of their individual peculiarities, may en¬ 
gage in this fascinating pursuit with probabilities of 
success. 
“ This is an art 
Which does mend nature, change it rather: but 
The art itself is nature.” 
A common error committed by the beginner is in at¬ 
tempting to grow varieties that are of delicate habit and 
feeble constitution. Attracted by the great beauty or 
fragrance of a flower, he does not consider, or does not 
understand, that vigor of growth, perpetuity of bloom, 
and perfect hardiness are very seldom combined with 
the qualities which have allured him. 
A pleasing departure from the usual method of grow¬ 
ing Roses is found in the pegging-down system. Grown 
in this way, the long shoots are carefully bent down 
and fastened to the ground by means of hooked sticks 
or pegs. Flower-buds will then push out all along the 
shoots, and a correspondingly large number of blooms 
be obtained. True, the individual flowers are apt to be 
of somewhat inferior quality to those produced in the 
ordinary way, but a mass of color not otherwise obtain¬ 
able can thus be had. /I do not advocate this system to 
the exclusion of the one commonly pursued, but its oc¬ 
casional or alternate use is certainly capable of yielding 
most satisfactory results. 
Besides planting Roses in beds, it is well to scatter 
them through the borders of our gardens, giving the 
favored positions to the more delicate kinds. Among 
the best varieties which yet require some extra care are 
Eugenie Verdier—the most beautiful of the Victor Ver- 
dier type—a Rose of very delicate coloring, silvery- 
pink, tinged with salmon, and Charles Lefebvre, which 
is beautiful in both flower and leaf, the color of Gen¬ 
eral Jacqueminot deepened by a sliade of satiny-pur 
pie. • 
Among the Roses not sufficiently well-known are Mar¬ 
guerite de St. Amande, a deep pink sort, which gives 
beautiful buds as well as fine flowers, and blossoms 
through the summer and autumn months ; Baroness 
Rothschild, a blush-pink, with exquisite cup-sliaped 
flowers freely produced ; Frangois Michelon, a striking 
variety, intermediate in character between its parent 
La Reine and General Jacqueminot, thus uniting two 
rival dynasties. It has large, deep rose-colored flowers,, 
veined with lilac, and is of splendid globular form. It. 
blooms late, the flowers not developing until most others 
of the same class are past their prime. Eliza Boello is, 
perhaps, the best white Rose that we have. It blooms 
profusely all through the summer months ; the flowers 
are full, of the most perfect, globular form, the centre 
generally tinged with blush. It is not possible to ima¬ 
gine a flower of greater beauty. The best of the Moss- 
roses are Gracilis, Common, and Crested. Not the least 
of the qualities we desire in a Rose is fragrance. In 
this regard, all varieties of all classes must do homage 
to La France, the sweetest of fragrant Roses. To bo 
sure, it is rather tender, but it is easily protected so as 
to winter safely. It does not always open well, but it 
is a simple matter to assist it, an operation not practic¬ 
able with most varieties that open imperfectly. If the 
buds of La France show a tendency to remain closed,, 
by gently pressing the point of the bloom with the 
Angers, and then blowing into the centre, the flower 
will almost invariably expand, and the pent-up fra¬ 
grance escape. 
Not enough at.ention is given to the Bourbon and 
Tea Roses. The Hybrid Remontauts justly claim first 
attention, when they are in perfection; but after the 
first blossoming is over, throughout July, August and 
September, they are much less attractive than many of 
the monthly Roses. Varieties like Bougere, Homer, 
Madame de Vatry, and Mario Van Iloutte, will give a. 
continuous supply of flowers when the so-called hardy 
Roses are almost or altogether out of bloom. How 
faithfully the various varieties of Tea Roses reproduce 
the beautiful tints often painted in the sky atsunsetand 
at sunrise! The many shades of rose, pink, lilac,, 
white, salmon, yellow, etc., are found in both alike, and 
it would often puzzle us to decide whether the most 
beautiful combinations of these delicate shades are 
found, in the illuminated clouds, or in the petals: 
of these Roses. Tea Roses are rather tender, but in 
truth they have, in this respect, been somewhat ma¬ 
ligned. 
Those sorts named above are, in reality, butiitlle more 
tender tlxan La France, the Hybrid Noisettes, and all 
the Victor Verdier race of Hybrid Remontants. If 
earth be hilled up about the plants, and a slight cover¬ 
ing of those material, like branches of evergreens, be 
applied, the more robust sorts of monthly Roses will 
winter in safety. In giving protection, care must taken 
not to smother the plants by entirely excluding the air. 
This never occurs from the use of evergreen brandies, 
but if straw or litter be taken, sticks or boards should 
be used to prevent the material matting together. This- 
is one of the cases where it is possible to kill by mis¬ 
taken kindness. 
Canon Hole, in his charming “ Book About Roses,”' 
says : 
“ He who would have beautiful Roses in his garden 
must have beautiful Roses in his heart. He must love 
them well and always. He must have not only the 
glowing admiration, the enthusiasm, and the passion, 
but the tenderness, the thoughtfulness, the reverence, 
the watchfulness of love.” 
This is the sum and substance of success in Rose cul¬ 
ture; without this true love, failure, partial or com¬ 
plete, is sure to follow. 
II. B. Eiawangier. 
