THE SWEET BRIAR AND CONGENERS.

Rosa Rubiginosa, &c.

WHO knows not the Sweet Briar? the Eglantine, that flower of poesy and song, the rhyme of which jingles so prettily, that nearly all our poets, and even love-stricken rustics have taken advantage of its sweet sound.

"I will give to my love the Eglantine,"

has been full oft the beginning of the country swain's love ditty, and in sober truth, every one must love this simplest and sweetest of flowers, for what odor can surpass that emanating from a bush of Sweet Briar in the dewy evenings of June? It pleases not the eye, for the single Sweet Briar produces flowers, in comparison with other roses, quite inconspicuous; but it gratifies in a high degree by its delicious perfume, and gives to the mind most agreeable associations, for it is so often (at least in England,) the inhabitant of the pretty cottage garden-such a garden as one seldom sees elsewhere but in that country. The Single Sweet Briar is an European plant, growing in dry. and chalky soils in some of the southern counties of England, and also abounding in various parts of France and other countries of Europe. It is likewise found in considerable numbers growing in the hedges and neglected grounds of our own country, more especially in the vicinity of long settled towns, near the Atlantic, it having been introduced among us by seeds and plants brought from Europe by some of the early settlers of our country. The Montezuma Rose, of Mexico, is identically the same species, but appears to be of more gigantic growth than the ordinary variety, and I have some in my grounds that are sixteen feet in height, with the stalks of proportionate diameter, and whose

branches assume a weeping position. The following varieties, with some others, have been originated, more or less hybridized, and all but two have cupped flowers. The American White is a beautifully shaped flower, creamy white, and quite as interesting as any obtained from Europe. American Roseate is of a bright rose color, and estimable. The Apple-bearing Briar, or Maliflora, although a distinct species, particularly characterized by its fruit, may nevertheless, from the similitude of its flowers and general character, be comprised under this head; the flowers are semi-double, neat blush, early, and highly fragrant. The Carmine (Sweet Briar) is of a bright hue, in accordance with its name. The Carnation is a beautiful blush. The Celestial, a beautiful little rose, with flowers very double and fragrant, of the palest flesh color, approaching to white. The Chinese is of a deep roseate hue. The Cluster has semi-double rosy, lilac flowers. Clementine is rosy blush, pretty and distinct. Hessoise, or Petite Hessoise, is a pretty French hybrid, with bright, rose colored flowers, and leaves not so fragrant as some others. The Hip, or Dog Rose, (Rosa canina,) has, from its similarity for all practical purposes, been incorporated with the Sweet Briar. The best varieties are the old Double Red, the Single or Semi-double Margined, or Hebe's Lip, creamy white, with a pink border, and the Double Margined, which also bears the names of Emmeline, and Madeline, full double, white, shaded with pink, and a violet border. The Iver Cottage (Sweet Briar,) is of a pale rose color. The Monstrous is a very old variety, with large and very double flowers, distinct and good. Maiden's Blush, and Manning's Blush are both double and pretty, with fragrant leaves like the original. The Mossy has buds somewhat mossed, and flowers of a light pink shade. Riego is a rose colored hybrid, from the China Rose and the Sweet Briar, a re

markable and most pleasing union, as it possesses a most delicious perfume. It has little or no similarity in appearance to the last named parent, and is ranked by some as a hybrid China rose. Rose Angle is a new variety, raised from seed by Mr. Martin, of Rose Angle, near Dundee: this produces large and very double flowers, of a bright rose color; its foliage is also very fragrant. The Royal is of a pale rose color. The Splendid is rightly named, a splendid rose, with large light crimson flowers, but its foliage is not very fragrant. The Scarlet, or La Belle Distinguée, Lee's Dutchess, or La Petite Dutchesse, for they are the same, is a pretty bright red, small, and compact rose, very distinct and good, but its leaves are entirely scentless. The Superb is of very robust growth, with rose colored flowers.

Sweet Briars form a pretty group, interesting from their origin and associations, and pleasing from their fragrance and peculiar neatness; they make also pretty trees, particularly on 'petites tiges," as the French term them; they require the same culture as the other hardy roses.

Humble as are the claims of the Sweet Briar when contrasted with the gorgeous beauty of some of our new roses, yet, the raising of new varieties from seed will, I am sure, be found interesting.

The Scarlet may be planted with the Splendid Briar, which so abounds in pollen that fertilizing will be found very easy. The Carmine with the Scarlet semi-double will also give promising seed; the beauty of their flowers might be increased by hybridizing with some of the French roses, but then their Sweet Briar-like character would be lost, and with that a great portion of their interest.

The Hybrid Riego, if planted with the Splendid Briar, would produce seed from which large and very fragrant double roses might be expected, and these would partake largely of the character of the Sweet Briar.

THE PERSIAN, OR AUSTRIAN BRIAR.

Rosa lutea, vel sulphurea.

THIS much admired, and very peculiar Briar is found native, or naturalized, in the south of Europe, and particularly on the hills of the north of Italy, producing copper or red, as well as yellow flowers; but, strange to say, though the flowers are invariably single, they never produce, seed. In this country it is also with extreme difficulty, and only by fertilizing its flowers, that seed can be perfected: if the flowers are examined they will all be found deficient in pollen, which accounts for this universal barrenness. A splendid, perfectly double variety having been obtained from Persia, and others being known to exist there, it is extremely probable that it originated in that country. All of this family have cupped, except where otherwise designated.

The Copper, or Red and Yellow Austrian, the Capucine of the French, is a most singular rose; the inside of each petal is of a bright copper red, the outside inclining to sulphur. I have also in my collection a rose with single flowers, imported from France under the name of Capucine de Semies, which is totally distinct from the preceding; the petals are yellow beneath, and the surface mottled with dull red, and sometimes entirely of a dull red hue. The foliage also differs from the preceding, being more delicate, and the growth of the plant is much more vigorous. To distinguish it I have called it Capucine Ponctué. A double, copper colored variety is yet a desideratum. The Double Yellow, or Williams' Double Yellow Sweet Briar, is a pretty double rose, raised from the Single Yellow Austrian a few years since; this blooms more freely than the original

species, and is a most desirable variety. Rosa Harrisonii, or Harrison's Yellow, was raised from seed by the late Geo. Harrison, Esq., of New-York, from whom I received the first plant he parted with, in exchange for a Camellia Aitoni, which I had just then imported at an expense of three guineas. It has proved not only brilliant and beautiful, but what was equally important, a most free and profuse bloomer; the flowers which are not quite full double are about two inches in diameter and globular before expansion, but a hot sun makes them expand and lose much of their beauty. It is a more robust grower than the Double Yellow Briar, often forming shoots of five to six feet in a season; its flowers are also a little larger, and do not fade so soon. Numerous seedlings have been raised from this variety, but all that have come under my notice have proved very similar, or inferior to it. To one produced in England the name has been given of Harrisonii No. 1. This I have imported, and find the flower to be pale yellow, tinged with copper. A plant obtained from Mr. Feast, and said to be grown from seed by him, has produced flowers undistinguishable from those of the parent. The Single Yellow is the most brilliant Yellow rose we yet possess; and it will probably be the parent of some double varieties, its equal in color.

To this peculiar family of roses a few new varieties. have been added, Cuivre Rouge, a curious hybrid, partaking of the Boursault Rose, with smooth thornless branches and dull reddish single flowers, and the Superb Double Yellow Briar, a seedling raised by Mr. Williams, of Pitmaston, from the same rose, and, I believe, at the same time, as the Double Yellow Briar. This has larger and more double flowers, but they are perhaps not so bright in color. A third variety is the Globe Yellow, a very pretty pale yellow rose, of humble growth: this variety was raised in Italy.