THE FAMILIES OF CULTIVATED ROSES. VERY writer on the rose has his own peculiar views as to the proper classification of the named varieties, and the trade are not all agreed as to the classes to which many varieties should be assigned. As to classes, professors, amateurs, and nurserymen all take different views of their limitations and characteristics, and it cannot be helped; for where certain classes blend and mix on their boundaries, there is room for any diversities of opinion, however decisive may be the characteristics of the class as a whole. Thus, if we compare Souvenir d'Elise with Ophirie, we see in an instant the striking distinctions which may be established between Teas and Noisettes; but if, on the other hand, we place Jaune Desprez and Gloire de Dijon side by side, the striking distinctions instantly vanish, and it becomes an easy matter to understand how in some catalogues they are separated, and how in others they are either both classed as Teas or both as Noisettes. Nevertheless, with many such difficulties to contend with, roses may be classed with tolerable definiteness for the convenience of the cultivator according to their peculiarities of growth and appearance, season of bloom, and floral and physiological affinities, and the classification is worth attempting, both to furnish the rosarian with an intelligible key to the catalogues, and with a few fundamental ideas respecting the uses and the management of the several classes of cultivated roses. In placing before the rose cultivator a classification differing slightly from others that have been recently published, the explanation may be needed that it has been one of my chief objects to make the classification correspond as nearly as might be consistent with the principles followed with the best rose catalogues, for as the cultivator is of necessity frequently referring to those, a system which requires him to make but few allowances, and disturbs the order of reference the least possible, is certainly to be preferred, provided it serves the all-important purpose of indicating distinctions, relationships, and affinities with tolerable accuracy. SUMMER ROSES. 1. PROVENCE OR CABBAGE. L. Rosa centifolia. F. Rosier cent feuilles.-The common Cabbage is one of the loveliest roses we possess, whether considered as to form, colour, or fragrance. It is supposed to have been introduced in 1596, and has certainly been a favourite in this country for more than three centuries. All the varieties are hardy, free-flowering, and deliciously sweet. Among the best varieties may be named Reine de Provence, with fine globular, glossy lilacrose coloured flowers; this makes a fine standard. Unique is of the purest white; the form cupped, rather uneven, but scarcely surpassed by any other white rose. Among the hybrids are Blanchefleur, with pale flesh flowers, changing to pure white, which forms a good standard; Princesse Clementine, paper white, very large and pure, but thin petals, forms afine half standard; Comte Plater, cream tinted with buff, finely formed, very free to bloom, hardy, and good for either standard or dwarf; and Comtesse de Ségur, pale flesh, makes a fine half-standard. De Meaux or Pompon is one of our oldest and most beautiful garden roses, with small, rosy-pink and lilac flowers, much used for edging. The common Dutch Provence is one of the best roses to force. Although a few have been named above as suitable for standards, they all do remarkably well as dwarfs on their own roots. On light sandy soils, they should always be grown on their own roots, and the soil should be abundantly manured for them. On stiff clays they may be either on their own roots or on short brier stocks. In any case they must be very hard pruned, every shoot being cut in to within four or five buds of the base. |