THE FRENCH ROSE.

Rosa gallica.

First Division: Self-colored Flowers.

THE French Rose (Rosa Gallica, of botanists) is a native inhabitant of the continent of Europe, growing abundantly in the hedges of France and Italy. In the "Floræ Romanæ" "of Sebastiani, published at Rome in 1818, this rose, Rosa sempervirens, and Rosa canina, are said to be the only roses growing naturally in the Papal States. This was one of the roses introduced at the earliest period to our gardens. The year 1596 is given by botanists as the date of its introduction into England; and owing to its bearing seed freely, it has been the parent of an immense number of varieties, many of the earlier sorts being more remarkable for their expressive French appellations than for any great dissimilarity in their habits or colors. I have already referred to the confusion made by a writer on Roses in this country, who professes to give to Americans "Accurate Descriptions." Under the present head, Rosa Gallica, he says, "Some writers consider it evidently the Hundredleaved Rose of Pliny, so that it must have been long in cultivation, and it is rather curious that the French should call it Rose de Provins, while the English give it the name of French Rose." Here is a triplicate of blunders. In the first place, no writer whatever has been so silly and ignorant as to confuse this Rose, which is a genuine native of the French soil, with the Hundred-leaved Rose of Pliny, but one and all of them have identified the Rosa centifolia, or Cabbage Rose, with the Rose of Pliny. Secondly, it is not "rather curious" that the French should call this "Rose de Provins," when this is the identical species so extensively cultivated at "Provins," but it would indeed be "rather curious" if they called the Rosa centifolia, or Cabbage Rose,

"Provins," as the writer states in another chapter, when that rose is not in fact cultivated there at all. Thirdly, the English call it "French Rose," because it is a true native of France, whence its title of Gallica, and by what other name should they call it? The Semi-double Red Rose, or Officinal Rose, grown in Surrey for the druggists, is of this family, and a very slight remove from the original spécies, which is of the same color, with but one range of petals, or single. All the roses of this group are remarkable for their compact and upright growth, and many for the multiplicity of their petals, and tendency to produce variegated flowers. Many of the spotted, variegated, and striped varieties are very singular and beautiful. The formation of the flower, in most of the superior modern varieties of Rosa gallica, is very regular; so that most probably this family will ultimately be the favorite of those florists who show roses for prizes in the manner that dahlias are now exhibited; that is, as full blown flowers, one flower on a stem, as they bear carriage better when fully expanded, than any other roses. In France, this is called the "Provins Rose;" from the circumstance of its extensive culture at the town of Provins, as explained by the previous remarks. Some varieties of it have been classed by Rose fanciers in a separate division, as "Agathe Roses." These have curled foliage, and pale colored, compact flowers, remarkable for their crowded petals.

To describe a selection of these roses is no easy task, as the plants differ so little in their habits; and their flowers, though very dissimilar in appearance, offer nevertheless but few prominent descriptive characteristics. Some of the new varieties lately introduced, and much prized in France, do not bloom well in England, the change of climate being very unfavorable, but in our dry and warm climate they attain a perfect development.

Africaine, or La Belle Africaine is a very beautiful rose,

one of the darkest, approaching to black. Amourin and Aurora are old varieties, now superseded by better ones, the former is blush and the latter pale rosy. Anarelle is a large-cupped and finely shaped rose; its outer petals pale lilac, and its centre of a deep purplish rose color, distinct and good. Antonine d'Ormois is of vigorous habit; the flowers large, delicate blush, and of most splendid form. Ardoisée is a new French variety, full double, and slate color. Asmodée is large, full double, rosy crimson. Aspasie is one of the most delicate and beautiful roses known, its form being quite perfect, a little inclining to globular, like some of the hybrid China roses. Aurélie Lamarc is much like the last in color and form, but is delicately spotted with white. Assemblage des Beautés is not quite full enough of petals, but deserves its name, for its varied and finely colored crimson and scarlet flowers on one stem are always admired. Baron de Stael is large, well formed, of a pale pink hue. Belle aimable, and Bishop, are obsolete varieties, the former dark red shaded and the other light red or pink. Belle Esquermoise large full double, shaded slate color, new and fine.

Boula de Nauteuil, or Comte de Nauteuil, is a most splendid flower of perfect form, crimson purple, very large, and none more admired. Carmine brilliante is, as its title indi cates, of a carmine hue. Cerise superbe is one of the most brilliant in color, approaching to scarlet, and in shape perfectly beautiful. Columella is a deep, bright pink, shaded with flush on the margin of the petals; sometimes it produces self-colored flowers, but is always first rate and remarkably distinct. Champion-there are two varieties of this name: one is bright red, an old variety now cast aside, although I notice it is called "quite new" by one writer; the other is a dark mottled, or black variety, and superb. Cicero is a very large new French variety, crim

son, and full double.

Cordon bleu (erroneously called "Chardon bleu, or Blue Thistle," in a recent publication,)

Coronation

*

is a full double flower of a shaded slate color. is one of the older varieties, full double, well formed, brilliant color approximating to scarlet. Comte Walsh has not proved true to the European description, as it is not margined, but it is nevertheless a first-rate show rose. The Comte de Murinais is a large flattish rose, of a slate-colored ground, spotted with rose-color; a very distinct and good variety. Duc de Trevise is a most beautiful rose, of first rate form for a show rose, and of robust and distinct habit. Duchess of Buccleugh is very large, deep rose colored, and full double, a new variety. Eclatante is a rose that may be distinguished in a group, however crowded, being so extremely bright; it perhaps ought not to be called scarlet, yet no other term so well describes its color.

Eclat des Roses is a very double and large rose, of the most perfect form for a show rose; the plant is also of the most vigorous habit. Elemensie and Eliza have now given way to the new improved varieties, the former rosy crimson, and the latter blush color. To Fanny Parissot, sometimes called Fanny Bias, the description of Eclat des Roses may also be applied, only that its color is much more delicate. Feu brilliant is large, purplish flame color, and constant; a new and very fine variety. Fleur d'Amour is one of the most vivid-colored roses in this group, much like Assemblage des Beautés, but more double. Franklin is a deep rose color. Gloire des jardins is deep red, now cast aside. Grandissima is a most robust-growing and very large carmine rose, likely to prove a show rose of first rate excellence. Guerin's Gift is of a brilliant roseate hue, and very perfect in

*This term is applied to those varieties that produce very double and perfect flowers, fit to be exhibited singly, as dahlias are.

form. Hercules, and Hortense Beauharnois, although possessing some valuable properties, have given place before the crowd of more estimable varieties. Heureuse Surprise, is a new very large full double crimson variety from France. Isabella, or Prolifère, and Julianna, are pink roses, and La Favorite is red, all rather handsome, but now superseded. Kean is always a beautiful rose, in size first rate, and in shape quite perfection; color bright reddish crimson, sometimes approaching to scarlet. King of Rome, Ponceau parfait, or Theodore de Corse, (they being the same,) is á beautiful double and compact rose, so exactly like a double ranunculus that it might almost be mistaken for one. L'Ombre superbe, is an old black rose, (so called) but not so dark colored as many of its class, being only a deep shaded purple. La Tour d'Auvergne is a large cupped flower, crimson, and very beautiful. Lee is very large, full double, of a bright and beautiful rose color, a new variety. Leon the 10th is rose colored, of immense size, being one of the largest of roses. Letitia, or La Volupté is by some ranked as a Hybrid Provence; it is of a beautiful rose color, prettily veined, and of perfect form. Leopold is a fine dark rose, much like that old favorite the Tuscany Rose, but with smaller and more double flowers.

La Moskowa is a large dark rose, not quite double enough for a show rose, but its flowers have a fine effect.

Madame Cottin, or Sophie Cotton, is a large and well shaped rose, adapted for a show rose; as is also Madame Dubarry, one of the finest double roses. These are both of the most vigorous habit. Matilda is a pretty pink colored rose, and Mohéléda, as well as La Négresse, both erroneously included in this class by some, are Damask roses. Narbonne and Nonpariel, the former rosy purple, and the latter pink, are no longer found in select collections. Ninon de l'Enclos a new French variety, large full double,