2. THE Moss Rose.

L. Rosa centifolia muscosa. F. Rosier cent feuilles Mousseuse. This charming rose appears to have been introduced from Holland in 1596. It is commonly described in books and catalogues as still unsurpassed, but if that were the case, we might cancel all the charming hybrids, and be content with the original. It is very certain that the Moss rose is a sport of the common Provence, as not only does the Provence appear in its most typical forms among its seedlings, but the variety itself will occasionally produce shoots destitute of moss, but with genuine Provence flowers. Among the gems of this group are several that bloom in autumn, and Mr. W. Paul, in his "Rose Garden," separates them, so that the summer-blooming varieties occur in group VII., and the autumnals in group XX. This might be justifiable if the autumnalblooming Moss were really perpetual in their habit, but the fact is, after the first bloom in summer, they give but a few occasional blossoms, and as they are only in their prime at the same season as all others of the same race, there are insufficient grounds for a separation. Among the best of the summer blooming varieties, the following are strongly recommended:-Alice Leroy, rosy pink, makes a fine standard; Baronne de Wassenaër, rich rose, forms a fine standard; Gloire des Mousseuses, clear pale rose, large and handsome, does well as a

standard; Luxembourg, purplish crimson, most vigorous in habit, and will make either standard or pillar; Unique, pure white; White Bath, a grand white, makes a fine standard; Cristata, the wellknown crested Provence; Celina, purplish crimson, very dwarf in habit; Clemence Beaugrand, delicate pink, large, not full; Laneii, lively rose, most beautiful, both in bud and expanded. Of autumnalblooming Moss roses, the following are the best :— Madame Edouard Ory, rich rose, globular, beautifully formed, a very constant autumn bloomer and the best of this section; Salet, bright pink, changing to rose; Alfred de Dalmas, rosy flesh, blooming in clusters, makes a fine standard or pillar; General Drouot, purplish crimson, very dark and dull, but a fine rose; this must be worked on Manetti, or Boursault, not on brier.

All the Moss roses require a comparatively pure air and a rich soil. Those named for standards and pillars grow freely if worked on the brier, but the others among the summer-blooming varieties had best be on their own roots or on Manetti. The delicate growers require a light rich soil, such as would suit Tea roses, and all of them need to be liberally treated. Seven years ago, all the varieties of Moss roses did well at Stoke Newington, but buildings have increased so rapidly that now such varieties as Madame Ory, General Drouot, and Unique refuse to grow at all, and some others bloom but sparely ;

nevertheless, common Moss and other of the hardier kinds still continue to bloom superbly, and as a rule the summer-blooming kinds suffer less from smoke than the autumnals. Respecting the autumnals, it is best not to have them on briers at all, except in clay countries, for after a few years they are apt to die out, but on Manetti they do well. They all require close pruning.

3. THE DAMASK ROSE.

L. Rosa Damascena. F. Rosier Damas.-This rose is supposed to have been introduced from Syria in 1573. The true Damask roses are by no means so beautiful as they have been generally supposed by those who know more of the varieties than the originals. But the varieties raised of late years are generally superb, and we have an immense number of exhibition roses of the highest excellence, in which distinct features of the Damask rose may be traced. This group is easily distinguished by its pale green far-apart pubescent leaves. There are two distinct sections, namely, the Damask and the Perpetual Damask, and they differ so greatly that it will be proper to keep them apart in this classification, as their union under one head could serve no useful purpose. One of the oldest varieties of Damask rose is the Red and White Monthly, now rarely seen, but worth remembering, as from it have originated many of our best autumn-blooming roses.

La Ville de Bruxelles is a charming variety of this series, the colour lively lilac-rose, exquisitely deepening towards the closely crumpled centre. This makes a fine pillar or standard, and is a valuable town rose. Madame Hardy is pure white, sometimes with a green centre, but a first-rate rose, being of luxuriant habit and its flowers finely shaped. Madame Zoutman (or Söetmans) is of a pale flesh colour, tinted with fawn, one of the most beautiful of all light roses. Semiramis, salmon-rose, is very distinct and handsome. All these grow well worked on briers, and form handsome standards; they also do well on their own roots, and if the soil is gravelly or chalky, they may be grown on Manetti. They require abundant manuring and moderate pruning.

4. THE FRENCH ROSE.

L. Rosa Gallica. F. Rosier de Provins.-This has been one of the most famous sections, having occupied the leading place in English gardens previous to the introduction of the Hybrid Perpetuals. The French rose was introduced to this country very early from France or Italy. The date 1596 is usually given as that of its introduction, but that too suspiciously agrees with the date given for the introduction of several other roses. These roses usually grow in a very upright and compact manner. They are mostly very double and well formed, and in fact there are among the Gallicas many varieties that

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produce flowers that are literally without parallel in other groups, for purity of colour, perfect form, and exquisite fragrance. It is worth the exhibitor's while to remember that, besides their high exhibition qualities, these roses bear carriage better than any others. There is a strong family likeness among them, and hence, though the varieties are numerous, a moderate number selected will serve very well to represent the whole. The finest of the high-coloured varieties of this section are Grandidissima, brilliant crimson, shaded with purple ; Boula de Nanteuil, crimson-purple, superb; Kean, crimson, almost scarlet; Latour d'Auvergne, mottled rose, finely shaped; Ohl, velvety crimson; Gloire de Colmar, deep crimson, shaded with velvety crimson; Duchess of Buccleuch, mottled crimson. The best of those in shades of rose are Letitia, Transon Goubault, Bizarre Marbrée, rose-mottled. There are some good light and variegated roses in this section. Fillet Parfait is a hybrid between the French and the Damask, the flowers are blush, with rosy-crimson stripes; it is the best of all striped roses, and bears a close resemblance to a carnation. Eillet Flammand, white, striped with rose and lilac; Triomphe de Rennes, rose, marbled with slate; Adèle Prévost, silvery-blush; Perle des Panachées, pure white, with red stripes; and Tricolor de Flandres, are all worthy of a place among the most recherché roses.

The varieties of Rosa Gallica are mostly very