304 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  7,  1898. 
The  Yellow  Provence  Eose, 
“  Practice  ”  asks  about  this  Eose,  and  thinks  it  might  be  either 
Persian  Yellow  or  Harrisoni.  1  turn  to  my  dear  old  “  Eivers  ”  of  1863, 
the  first  book  on  Eoses  I  ever  bought,  and  read  as  follows  : — “  The 
Double  Yellow  Eose  (Eosa  sulphurea). — It  was  brought  here  from  Con¬ 
stantinople  toward  the  end  of  the  sixteenth  century.  It  is  a  native  of 
the  Levant,  and  said  never  to  have  been  seen  in  a  wild  state  bearing  single 
flowers.  As  yet  we  have  but  two  Eoses  in  this  division — the  Double 
Yellow,  or  Yellow  Provence,  with  large,  globular,  and  very  double  bright 
yellow  flowers,  and  the  Dwarf  Double  Yellow,  both  excessively  shy  of  pro¬ 
ducing  full-blown  flowers,  though  they  grow  in  any  moderately  good  soil 
with  great  abundance.”  I  have  grown  it  with  some  success,  and  budded 
it  on  the  Briar  ;  but  it  is  very  easy  to  lose.  A  very  fine  specimen  grows, 
or  did  grow,  in  great  perfection  at  Burghley,  near  Stamford  town.  Exhi¬ 
bitors  in  the  eighties  will  remember  the  grand  heaps  of  these  Eoses  which 
Mr.  Webb  of  Calcot,  near  Eeading,  used  to  exhibit.  His  Marechal  Niels 
from  the  same  nut  garden  were  also  marvels  of  colour.  This  Eose  is 
well  worth  endeavouring  to  grow,  and  is  as  good  a  yellow  as  the  two 
mentioned  by  “Practice.”  There  is  not  a  yellow  Tea  Eose  which  can 
come  near  it  for  depth  of  golden  colour. 
I  am  aware  that  high  authorities  identify  it  with  Harrisoni.  In  my 
experience  it  is  even  a  deeper  yellow,  and  of  far  more  solid  buds— so  solid, 
indeed,  that  sometimes  half  the  blooms  will  not  open. 
Eivers  writes  of  Harrisoni  also,  and  as  follows  : — “  Eosa  Harrisoni  is 
also  a  double  yellow  Eose,  said  to  have  been  raised  from  seed  in  America, 
and  sent  from  thence  to  this  country.  This  has  proved  a  pretty  yellow 
Eose  ;  its  flowers  before  expansion  are  globular,  but  a  hot  sun  makes 
them  expand  aud  lose  much  of  their  beauty.” — A.  C. 
The  “  Gold  Medal  ”  Eoses  op  the  National  Eose  Society. 
The  National  Eose  Society  (founded  in  1876),  finding  that  so  many 
inferior  Eoses  were  being  sent  out  as  new  and  distinct  from  existing 
varieties,  all  of  which  were  invariably  described  in  the  most  glowing 
terms,  decided  to  offer  gold  medals  for  any  new  seedling  Eoses  or  distinct 
sports  that  were  considered  of  sufficient  merit  by  the  judges.  Unlike  the 
majority  of  classes,  which  are  judged  by  three  members,  this  important 
class  has  frequently  been  judged  by  from  seven  to  ten  or  twelve  picked 
judges.  To  win  under  these  circumstances  is  a  safe  test  that  the  novelty 
is  distinct  and  of  genuine  merit.  In  order  that  the  judges  may  be  able  to 
form  a  better  opinion,  not  only  are  three  blooms  to  be  staged,  but  a  plant 
from  the  open  ground  must  be  shown  at  the  same  time.  Thus  we  not 
only  see  the  bloom,  but  can  judge  of  the  growth  as  well.  I  think  the 
last  point  of  great  importance,  especially  so  now  that  we  have  so  many 
grand  Eoses  in  both  habit  and  flower.  It  was  in  1883  that  this  class  was 
instituted,  and  the  first  gold  medal  was  secured  by  the  late  Mr.  Henry 
Bennett  of  Shepperton. 
Her  Majesty. — This  is  one  of  the  finest  H.  jPerpetuals  we  have. 
We  have  the  pedigiee  of  this  grand  Eose  given  as  a  cross  between  Mabel 
Morrison  and  Canari,  and  it  may  seem  almost  incredible  to  many  that  two 
dwarf  Eoses  should  have  produced  one  of  such  vigour  and  robustness  as 
Her  Majesty.  But  if  we  look  at  other  seedlings  we  find  many  cases 
wherein  changes  play  a  most  surprising  part.  I  do  not  intend  to  go 
into  this  now,  but  I  do  think  Her  Majesty,  as  a  cross  between  a 
H.  Perpetual  and  Tea-scented  Eose,  should  have  been  classed  among  the 
Hybrid  Teas.  We  find  evidence  of  its  Tea-scented  blood  in  the  foliage. 
Her  Majesty  is  one  of  the  largest  Eoses  we  have,  and  when  caught  young 
has  no  suspicion  of  coarseness.  More  than  once  it  has  gained  the 
N.E.S.’s  silver  medal  as  the  best  H.  Perpetual  or  H.  Tea  in  the  whole  of 
the  large  exhibitions  of  that  Society.  The  description  of  “  pale  rose  ” 
only  does  not  do  this  Eose  justice.  I  would  rather  describe  it  as  a  beauti¬ 
fully  clear  and  bright  satiny  rose.  It  should  be  cultivated  upon  the  Briar 
stock,  and  comes  very  good  on  “cut-backs  ”  and  plants  well  established. 
Mrs.  John  Laing. — Mr.  H.  Bennett,  in  1885,  showed  this  variety, 
which  is  one  of  the  most  useful,  reliable,  and  distinct  Hybrid  Perpetuals 
grown.  It  would  indeed  be  difficult  to  say  too  much  in  favour  of  it, 
which,  like  most  of  those  gaining  the  gold  medal,  has  also  secured  the 
silver  medal  as  the  best  of  its  class  in  the  show  on  more  than  one  occasion. 
It  is  large,  of  perfect  shape,  sweet  scented,  and  a  continuous  bloomer 
from  early  until  late  in  the  season.  The  colour  is  a  soft  rosy  pink  of  a 
very  pleasing  shade.  Whether  as  dwarfs  or  standards,  in  the  open  ground 
or  in  pots,  this  Eose  is  difficult  to  beat.  It  also  has  the  desirable  quality 
of  coming  good  every  season,  and  is  one  of  our  best  Eoses  for  town  and 
suburban  gardens. 
Sir  Eowland  Hill. — This,  staged  by  Messrs.  E._Mack  &  Son  in  1886, 
was  a  sport  from  Charles  Lefebvre,  and  is  a  counterpart  of  that  variety 
in  growth  and  form.  The  colour  is  a  deep  velvety  plum,  most  distinct, 
and  really  good  when  in  its  best  form.  But  I  fear  it  is  not  quite  constant, 
occasionally  reverting  to  Charles  Lelebvre. 
Souvenir  de  S.  A.  Prince.— Introduced  by  Mr.  G.  Prince  in  1889, 
this  was  a  sport  from  Souvenir  d’un  Ami,  and,  like  most  sports,  partakes 
of  its  parent  in  all  but  colour,  which  is  a  pale  lemon  white  when  young, 
becoming  a  pure  white  as  it  expands. 
Mrs.  Paul. — This  is  one  of  the  most  distinct  Eoses  grown.  It  is  a 
large  flower  with  very  thick  petals,  and  when  young  has  a  decided 
Camellia  form.  The  colour  is  blush  white,  with  rosy  peach  shadings 
when  growing  in  the  sun.  Very  hardy,  strong  growing,  and  flowering 
freely  when  pegged  down.  It  was  shown  by  Messrs.  G.  Paul  &  Son  in 
1890. 
Salamander.  —  AH.  Perpetual  from  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son, 
Waltham  Cross.  This  is  an  imbricated  flower,  of  a  bright  scarlet  and 
crimson  shade.  I  have  found  it  very  free  and  good  in  the  autnmn,  but  it 
is  not  sufficiently  double  to  retain  its  best  form  during  a  hot  summer.  It 
also  is  an  1890  variety. 
Margaret  Dickson. — This  was  the  first  gold  medal  Eose  from  the 
famous  Irish  firm  at  Newtownards,  and  was  staged  in  1 890.  Margaret 
Dickson  has  made  growths  of  10  to  12  feet  with  us,  and  when  these  have 
been  pegged  down  few  Eoses  could  surpass  it  in  free  flowering.  The  first 
two  seasons  after  introduction  it  was  somewhat  of  a  disappointment,  few 
ot  us  succeeding  in  opening  it  well.  Whether  it  has  become  acclimatised 
to  some  extent  or  not,  it  is  now  a  very  reliable  and  beautiful  Eose.  It  is 
of  perfect  form  and  shape,  with  grand  foliage.  Colour  white  with  soft 
flesh-pink  centre.  I  note  that  the  N.E.S.  catalogue  calls  it  an  ivory 
white,  and  does  not  mention  its  charming  and  delicate  shade  of  flesh 
pink  when  young. 
Marchioness  of  Dufferin. — In  1891  this  was  brought  by  the 
Irish  firm.  It  is  a  Hybrid  Perpetual  of  globular  and  slightly  imbricated 
form.  The  colour  is  a  soft  rosy  pink.  It  is  a  free  bloomer,  and  a  very 
vigorous  grower.  * 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant.— In  1892  Messrs.  A.  Dicksons  &  Son  exhibited 
this  Eose,  which  resulted  from  crossing  Lady  Mary  Fitzwilliam  and  La 
France.  It  is  an  exceptionally  free  bloomer,  and  a  neat  and  compact 
grower.  The  flowers  are  made  up  of  very  large  and  deep  petals,  and  are 
good  from  the  bud  stage  until  fully  expanded.  It  is  one  of  our  best  deep 
pinks  for  indoor  culture,  and  I  have  found  it  a  grand  Eose  for  early 
forcing. 
Marchioness  of  Londonderry. — The  year  1893  brought  this 
dwarf  and  robust  grower  with  its  almost  thornless  wood.  As  a  cut-back 
we  have  few  Eoses  so  floriferous.  The  flowers  are  very  large  and  full, 
petals  stout,  and  the  colour  almost  pure  white.  This,  as  well  as  the  next, 
came  from  the  Newtownards  firm. 
Mrs.  E.  G.  Sharman-Crawford.- One  of  the  most  reliable  Eoses 
we  have.  Its  habit  is  much  after  Mrs.  John  Laing,  but  both  shape  and 
colour  are  distinct.  The  latter  is  a  deep  silvery  pink  with  a  clear  flesh 
shade  on  the  borders  of  its  petals.  The  form  is  partially  reflexed  and 
imbricated,  while  it  is  a  very  free  and  continuous  bloomer. 
Crimson  Eambler. — So  much  has  been  written  about  this  Eose, 
which  received  the  gold  medal  in  1893,  that  I  need  do  no  more  than 
record  the  fact  of  its  being  the  only  non-exhibition  Eose — as  the  term 
“  exhibition  ”  is  understood  by  rosarians — to  win  a  gold  medal  up  to  the 
present  date. 
Marchioness  of  Downshire. — This  was  the  winner  in  1894.  It 
is  a  soft  satiny  pink  of  good  form  and  size,  very  free-flowering,  and  the 
blooms  set  well  into  handsome  foliage  of  the  Baroness  Eothschild  type. 
It  has  come  good  with  me  both  upon  cut-backs  and  maidens.  A  compact 
and  robust  grower,  and  one  well  suited  for  pots.  This,  with  the  three 
following,  emanated  from  Newtownards. 
Helen  Keller. — The  winner  in  1895,  is  one  of  the  most  distinct 
H.  Perpetuals.  The  colour  is  a  bright  rosy  cerise,  while  the  flower,  if  not 
so  large  as  many,  is  well  built  up  and  the  petals  evenly  arranged.  It  is  a 
fairly  good  grower  and  very  free  blooming. 
Muriel  Grahame. — The  only  remark  needed  in  describing  the 
Eose  of  1896  is  that  it  is  a  counterpart  of  its  parent,  Catherine  Mermet, 
except  in  colour,  which  is  a  pale  creamy  white,  very  faintly  flushed  with 
rose  while  young.  Nor  can  I  dismiss  this  Eose  without  noting  that 
during  the  first  summer  it  was  in  commerce  it  secured  two  of  the  silver 
medals  as  being  the  best  Tea  Eose  in  the  Crystal  Palace  and  Norwich 
Eose  Shows  of  the  N.E.S.  last  year. 
Ulster.— This  Hybrid  Perpetual  was  the  only  winner  in  1897.  We 
can  know  little  of  this  Eose,  as  it  is  not  yet  in  commerce.  But  from  the 
flowers  shown,  and  the  ground  plant,  I  think  it  will  be  an  acquisition, 
especially  when  we  bear  in  mind  that  the  raisers  have  never  yet  sent  ont 
a  bad  variety.  It  is  a  robust  grower,  smooth-wooded,  and  apparently 
free  blooming.  The  flower  is  very  large,  and  upon  referring  to  roy  notes 
taken  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  I  find  it  described  as  “  a  very  high  coloured 
Caroline  Testout,  with  its  deepest  shade  prevailing  throughout.”  That 
was  my  impression  at  the  time. 
It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  dates  when  these  Eoses  won  the 
medal  have  no  connection  with  the  dates  of  their  introduction  to  the 
public.  In  looking  over  the  above  list,  it  is  very  pleasing  to  note  that  all 
but  one  are  of  British  or  Irish  origin,  the  exception  being  Crimsom 
Eambler.— A.  Piper. 
GEOaHAPHICAL  DISTRIBUTION  OF  PLANTS 
IN  EELATION  TO  WATEEING. 
{Concluded  from  page  287.) 
The  West  Indian  Isles  of  Jamaica,  Trinidad,  Cuba,  and  Barbadoes 
have  two  rainy  and  two  dry  seasons  each  year,  the  average  rainfall  being 
63  inches.  Ardisia  crenulata.  Pancratium  fragrans,  P.  speciosa.  Passiflora 
edulis,  P.  laurifolia,  P.  quadrangularis,  Eondeletia  speciosa,  Xylophylla 
latifolia  are  amongst  the  West  Indian  flowering  plants.  Orchids  are 
represented  by  Oncidium  papilio,  Phaius  grandifolius,  Vanilla  aromatica 
