104 
JOURXAl  OF  HOnTTCULTURF  AKF  COTTAGE  GAREEKER 
July  30,  1896. 
that  Abraham  was  thrown  into  a  fire  by  the  order  of  Nimrod,  and  that 
immediately  the  flames  were  turned  into  a  bed  of  Roses,  Many  may  be 
familiar  with  the  pretty  little  story  of  St.  Elizabeth  of  Hungary,  who 
would  generously  feed  crowds  of  her  hungry  vassals  with  loaves  of  bread 
at  her  castle  gate.  Her  stingy,  cross,  old  tyrant  of  a  hssband  came 
upon  her  suddenly  as  she  was  about  to  begin  her  daily  labour  of 
benevolence,  and  asked  her  what  it  was  she  had  in  her  apron  ;  with  a 
prayer  to  the  Lord  of  miracles  that  her  reply  might  be  made  true,  she 
answered  him,  “  Only  Roses,”  and  boldly  opened  her  apron,  when  it  was 
seen  to  be  filled  with  the  most  beautiful  Roses  instead  of  loaves  of 
bread. 
There  is  a  pretty  little  legend  to  the  effect  that  all  the  Roses  that 
were  created  at  first  were  white,  but  as  Eve  was  leaving  the  Garden  of 
Eden  she  let  a  tear  drop  on  a  Rose,  which  changed  its  colour  to  red. 
The  City  of  Rhodes  is  said  to  owe  its  name  to  the  great  number  of  Roses 
it  prodaced.  The  perfume  of  the  Rose  is  accounted  for,  in  mythology, 
from  the  statement  that  Cupid,  the  god  of  love,  at  a  feast  of  the  gods  on 
Mount  Olympus,  in  the  midst  of  a  lively  dance,  overtipped  with  his  wing 
a  cup  of  nectar,  which,  falling  on  a  Rose,  gave  it  its  peculiar  odour. 
Mythology  states  that  a  Rose  was  given  to  Harpocrates,  the  god  of 
silence,  to  induce  him  to  conceal  the  amours  of  his  mother,  Venus  ; 
hence  originated  the  term  ”  sub  rosa,”  as  a  Rose  was  hung  up  at  a  place 
as  a  caution  that  nothing  was  to  be  reported  which  was  said  there. 
Amongst  the  species  best  known  to  the  ancients  was  the  Hundred¬ 
leaved  Rose  (centifolia),  excelled  by  no  other  variety  in  beauty  and 
fragrance.  It  is  a  native  of  the  countries  adjacent  to  the  Caucasus 
mountains,  where  it  has  been  cultivated  from  the  earliest  times.  The 
Musk  Rose,  a  native  of  Africa  and  Southern  Spain,  has  been  cultivated 
in  England  since  the  sixteenth  century;  The  Rose  of  heraldry  is  always 
drawn  in  a  conventional  form,  never  with  the  stem  or  stalk.  The  Rose 
Gules  was  the  badge  of  the  Plantagenets,  the  Rose  Argent  that  of  the 
Yorks.  The  Y'ork  Rose  was  sometimes  surrounded  with  sun  rays,  and 
termed  Bose  eii  soleil.  The  Red  and  White  Roses  will  ever  be  memorable 
in  history  as  being  the  badges  of  the  rival  houses  of  Lancaster  and  York 
in  the  terrible  Wars  of  the  Roses. — L.  C.  H.  (in  ”  Vick’s  Magazine.”) 
MANCHESTER  ROSE  SHOW.— July  25vh. 
The  wet  weather  on  Saturday  last  was  much  to  be  regretted  from  an 
exhibitor’s  and  visitor’s  point  of  view,  as  the  show  of  Roses,  fruit,  and  [ 
cut  flowers  staged  in  the  annexe  at  the  Botanical  Gardens,  Old  TrafEord, 
was  almost  a  revelation,  as  few  people  imagined  that  there  would  be 
BuflScient  to  fill  the  show.  Such  might  have  been  the  case  had  not 
Messrs.  Brown  and  Robinson  (two  lovers  of  horticulture  and  worthy 
gentlemen  of  the  Council)  and  Mr.  Charles  Paul  (who  is  at  present 
acting  in  the  late  Mr.  Findlay’s  place)  displayed  much  energy  in  inducing 
the  trade  and  the  amateurs  to  try  their  best  to  make  a  display  worthy 
of  any  that  has  been  seen  on  former  occasions. 
The  battle  amongst  the  nurserymen  lay  between  England,  Ireland, 
and  Scotland,  the  former,  championed  by  Mr.  H.  Merryweather,  South- 
well,  Notts,  being  the  winner  for  seventy-two  Roses,  distinct,  also  with 
twelve  Teas  or  Noisettes  ;  whilst  the  celebrated  Irish  growers,  Messrs. 
Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons,  Newtownards,  won  with  thirty-six  trebles, 
distinct,  eighteen  Teas  or  Noisettes,  twelve  single  trusses  of  any  yellow 
Rose,  and  the  same  number  of  any  light-coloured  Rose,  also  running 
second  in  the  seventy-two  class.  Messrs.  D.  &  W,  Croll  of  Dundee  won 
with  twelve  of  any  crimson  Rose,  besides  coming  in  good  seconds  in 
several  classes.  Nor  were  the  amateurs  behind.  Rev.  J .  H.  Pemberton  and 
H.  V.  Machin,  Eiq.,  being  in  great  form,  and  sweeping  all  before  them. 
Weather  did  not  seem  to  have  troubled  the  above  exhibitors,  who 
really  made  a  grand  display,  and  very  critical  eyes  would  have  to  be 
brought  into  operation  to  find  many  faulty  blooms  throughout  the  show, 
the  visitors  being  unanimous  as  to  their  form,  substance,  and  colour. 
Messrs.  A.  Dickson  &  Sons  staged  a  new  seedling  H.T.,  which  was 
named  Bessie  Brown.  It  was  a  centre  of  attraction,  and  a  description 
is  given  elsewhere.  Thanks  to  Messrs.  Brown,  Robinson,  and  Paul  the 
arrangements  were  perfect,  exhibitors  expressing  themselves  more  than 
pleased,  and  now  that  the  esteemed  late  Curator  has  been  called  away, 
it  is  left  to  others  to  carry  on  the  great  work  which  he  always  tried  so 
well  to  do.  No  better  feeling  could  have  been  expressed  than  by  his 
bid  friend  the  Dean  of  Rochester,  who,  in  apologising  for  his  (the 
Dean’s)  absence  at  the  show,  said  that  he  could  not  bear  to  come  down 
amongst  them  so  soon  after  Mr.  Findlay’s  death.  Mr.  Higinbottom, 
who  presided  at  the  luncheon,  also  referred  to  the  loss  the  Society  had 
sustained.  Mr.  T.  B.  Hall  spoke  of  the  admirable  arrangements  through¬ 
out,  and  hoped  that  it  would  only  be  one  of  many  good  shows  that 
they  would  have  in  the  future.  Mr.  Dickson,  Newtownards,  said  it  was 
one  of  the  best  he  had  attended  this  season.  The  weather  cleared 
up  in  the  afternoon,  and  there  was  a  good  attendance  to  see  the  flowers 
and  hear  the  excellent  bands  engaged  for  the  occasion. 
The  gardens  are  in  perfect  condition,  the  bedding  having  been  com¬ 
pleted  in  a  masterly  way.  Indoors  the  plants  are  healthy,  and  every¬ 
where  fit  for  inspection  ;  flowering  plants  were  most  effectively  arranged. 
The  Orchids  are  choice  and  healthy,  some  especially  well  flowered, 
Vandas  showing  to  great  advantage.  The  fernery,  too,  is  out  of  the 
common  and  well  furnished,  whilst  the  Water  Lilies  seem  quite  at  home 
in  the  house  set  apart  for  them.  The  Victoria  regia  was  just  unfolding 
its  massive  blooms,  a  striking  contrast  to  the  beautiful  pink  of  Nymphma 
Devoniana.  There  had  been  a  great  show  of  Crinuma  and  Heemanthus 
magnificus,  the  latter  being  extremely  pretty,  several  being  still  in 
bloom.  Other  houses  were  visited,  but  their  occupants  are  too  numerous 
to  mention  in  this  note.  To  Mr.  Paul  and  his  assistants  the  greatest 
credit  is  due  for  the  manner  in  which  everything  is  well  done  under 
the  difficult  circumstances. 
Nurserymen’s  Classes. 
The  chief  prize  for  seventy-two  cut  Roses,  distinct,  was  secured  by 
Mr.  H,  Merryweather,  Southwell,  Notts,  with  a  stand  that  was  well  nigh 
perfect.  It  comprised  Duchess  of  Bedford,  Merveille  de  Lyon,  Alfred 
Colomb,  Marchioness  of  Londonderry,  Charles  Darwin,  Baroness  Roth¬ 
schild,  Harrison  Weir,  A.  K.  Williams,  superb  ;  Gustave  Pigaueau,  very 
fine  ;  Mdlle.  J.  Bonnaire,  Susanne  Rodocanachi,  The  Bride,  fine  ;  Abel 
CarriSre,  Madame  Eugene  Verdier,  perfect ;  Ulrich  Brunner,  Frangois 
Michelon,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  Horace  Vernet,  Paul 
Neyron,  Dr.  Andry,  Comtesse  d’Oxford,  Victor  Hugo,  Caroline  Testout, 
Etienne  Levet,  Madame  A.  Etienne,  very  distinct ;  Pierre  Netting, 
Madame  Hoste,  fine  in  colour  and  of  great  depth  ;  Comte  de  Raimbaud, 
Comtesse  Turenne  Wagram,  pretty  shade  of  pink  ;  Duke  of  Fife,  J.  S. 
Mill,  Prince  Arthur,  Marie  Verdier,  Dupuy  Jamain,  Innocente  Pirola, 
Star  of  Waltham,  Heinrich  SchuPheis,  Maurice  ISernardin,  Captain 
Christy,  Emily  Hausburg,  Maman  Oochet,  Earl  of  Dufferin,  Germaine 
Caillot,  very  pretty  ;  Due  de  Wellington,  Hon.  E.  Giflord,  Chas.  Gater, 
E.  Y.  Teas,  grand ;  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac,  Danmark, 
Duke  of  Connaught,  Kaiserin  A.  Victoria,  Fisher  Holmes,  Souvenir  de 
S.  A.  Prince,  Sir  R.  Hill,  Catherine  Mermet, Captain  Hayward,  Souvenir 
d’Elise  Vardon,  Camille  Bernardin,  Caroline  Kuster,  Marie  Baumann, 
Marchioness  of  Dufferin,  Marie  Rady,  Etoile  de  Lyon,  Ella  Gordon, 
Ernest  Metz,  Jeannie  Dickson,  Etendard  de  Jeanne  d’Arc,  capital  ; 
Madame  Victor  Verdier,  and  Countess  of  Rosebery.  Messrs.  A.  Dickson 
and  Sons,  Newtownards,  were  second,  their  best  specimens  being  Marshal 
P.  Wilder,  Souvenir  d’Elise,  Earl  of  Dufferin,  La  Fraicheur,  Francisca 
Kruger,  Helen  Keller,  Joseph  Coubet,  Mrs.  Ed.  Mawley,  very  fine  ; 
Lady  Moyra  Beauclerk,  very  telling  colour  ;  Charles  Lefebvre,  and 
Bessie  Brown,  a  new  H.T.  for  the  first  time  exhibited,  and  promises  to 
hold  its  own  against  all  comers.  It  has  fine  stout  petals,  of  perfect  form, 
and  great  size,  the  colour  is  a  beautiful  blush  ;  a  great  acquisition,  the 
Judges  and  Committee  unanimously  granting  it  a  first-class  certificate. 
The  third  position  was  taken  by  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  their 
best  blooms  being  Caroline  Testout,  Louis  Peyronny,  ^Helen  Keller, 
excellent ;  Her  Majesty,  and  A.  K.  Williams. 
For  thirty-six  trebles  Messrs.  Dickson  &  Sons  were  a  grand  first,  the 
flowers  being  good  throughout.  Marchioness  of  Londonderry,  Charles 
Lefebvre,  Her  Majesty,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Madame  Eugene  Verdier,  Star 
of  Waltham,  Marie  Verdier,  S.  Rodocanachi,  Bessie  Brown  (grand), 
Alfred  Colomb,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Heinrich  Schultheis,  Gustave  Piganeau, 
Helen  Keller,  La  France,  Captain  Hayward,  Earl  of  Dufferin,  Etienne 
Levet,  Comte  de  Raimbaud,  Pierre  Carrot,  Mrs.  S.  Crawford,  Louis  Van 
Houtte,  A.  K.  Williams,  Mrs,  W.  J.  Grant  (superb),  Triomphe  de  Caen, 
Countess  of  Caledon  (new  seedling,  rose  shaded,  yellow  base,  very 
pretty),  Dupuy  Jamain,  Pierre  Netting,  Horace  Vernet,  Lady  Moyra 
Beauclerc  (handsome),  Tom  Wood,  Mrs.  Chas.  Crapelet,  Marquis  de 
Castellane,  J.  S.  Mill,  and  Jeannie  Dickson  were  represented.  Mr.  H. 
Merryweather,  for  second  honours,  had  magnificent  blooms  of  Mrs.  J. 
Laing,  Madame  Hoste,  Madame  Eugene  Verdier,  Madame  Lambard 
(very  beautiful),  A.  K.  Williams,  Charles  Lefebvre,  and  Duchess  of 
Bedford.  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  were  a  good  third,  E.  Y.  Teas, 
Victor  Hugo,  and  Marie  Baumann  being  especially  worthy  of  mention. 
For  eighteen  Teas  or  Noisettes,  trebles,  Messrs.  Dickson  &  Song  again 
secured  honours  with  a  very  fresh  stand,  Muriel  Grahame,  Ethel 
Brownlow,  Francisca  Kruger,  Madame  Hoste,  Maman  Cochet,  and 
Rubens  being  excellent.  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll  were  a  fine  second. 
Madame  Bravy,  Rubens,  and  Luciole  were  the  most  noticeable.  Messrs. 
D.  &  W.  Croll  were  awarded  the  chief  honours  for  twelve  blooms,  any 
crimson  Rose,  with  Marie  Baumann  ;  Messrs.  R.  Mack  &  Sons,  Catterick 
Bridge,  second  with  A.  K.  Williams  ;  and  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  &  Sons 
third  with  Ulrich  Brunner. 
Messrs.  Dickson  won  with  a  handsome  twelve  blooms  of  any  light 
variety  with  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  also  with  any  twelve  yellow  with  clean  and 
fresh  blooms  of  Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria.  The  second  prizes  went  to 
Messrs.  Croll  and  R.  Mack  &  Sons,  Catterick  Bridge,  with  Mrs.  J.  Laing 
and  Mar^chal  Niel.  In  the  class  for  twelve  Teas  or  Noisettes  Mr. 
H.  Merryweather  put  up  a  superb  stand,  Madame  Hoste,  Comtesse  de 
Nadaillac,  Catherine  Mermet,  and  Madame  Lambard  being  splendid, 
Messrs.  Dickson  &  Sons  were  second,  a  white  sport  from  Etoile  de  Lyon, 
Muriel  Graham,  and  their  new  seedling  Mrs.  Mawley  being  most 
admired. 
Amateurs’  Classes. 
The  amateur  classes  were  well  filled  with  blooms  of  admirable 
quality,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton,  Havering,  who  has  had  such  a 
successful  season,  taking  the  premier  position  for  thirty-six,  distinct, 
with  a  fine  solid  stand  of  blooms  as  follows — Her  Majesty,  Prosper  Laugier, 
Marie  Verdier,  Marie  Baumann,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Madame  Joseph  Bon¬ 
naire,  Earl  of  Dufferin,  Madame  Engine  Verdier,  Marchioness  of  London¬ 
derry,  Ulrich  Brunner,  La  Havre,  Madame  Charles  Crapelet,  Marshal 
P.  Wilder,  Marchioness  of  Lome,  Horace  Vernet,  Frangois  Michelon, 
J.  S.  Mill,  Exposition  de  Brie,  Chas.  Darwin,  A.  K.  Williams,  Caroline 
Testout,  Comte  de  Raimbaud,  Duke  of  Fife,  Beauty  of  Waltham,  Mrs. 
S.  Crawford,  Duchess  of  Bedford,  Victor  Hugo,  Susanne  Rodocanachi, 
Spenser,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  La  France,  Gustave  Piganeau,  Queen 
of  Queens,  Xavier  Olibo,  and  Mardchal  Niel.  H.  V.  Machin,  Esq.,  Gate- 
ford,  Worksop,  one  of  our  most  enthusiastic  and  successful  exhibitors, 
was  placed  second  with  smaller  blooms  of  excellent  quality,  Horace 
Vernet,  Prince  Arthur,  Alfred  Colomb,  Her  Majesty,  and  Maman  Cochet 
being  most  striking  ;  Mr.  Whitton,  Bedale,  a  good  third.  In  the  class 
