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mossed. E'clatante is a Moss Rose, quite worthy of notice; for it is so vigorous in its growth, that it soon forms a fine tree its colour is also remarkably bright.

Moussue Partout is indeed all over moss; for its leaves, branches, and buds are thickly covered. The flowers of this singular variety are much like the common Moss Rose. The Miniature Moss is one which I originated from seed in my endeavours to raise a superior dark variety from the Single Moss Rose. Its flowers are small, of a bright pink, and pretty, though only semi-double. The Prolific Moss is not the Prolifère of the French, but a dwarf variety of the common Moss, and a most abundant bloomer. This is known by the French florists as the Minor Moss: it is a most excellent variety to keep in pots for forcing. Prolifère, or Mousseuse Prolifère, is an old variety from France, producing very large flowers, which do not open well in wet weather; but in dry hot seasons this is a fine rose. The Pompone Moss, or Mossy de Meaux, has for some years been a great favourite. This rose was found by Mr. Sweet of the Bristol Nursery, at a garden at Taunton, Somersetshire, in 1814. He obtained possession of the plant for five pounds; and afterwards distributed the young plants at one guinea each. It was most probably an accidental sport from the Old Rose de Meaux, and not from seed, as that rose is too double to bear seed in this country. This is one of the prettiest of roses, and one of the first to make its appearance in June, gladdening us with its early clusters of small and finely shaped flowers. It is not well adapted for a standard; for, when grafted or budded, it is but a short-lived plant, at least in the generality of soils; on its own roots, in light rich soils, it may be grown in great perfection. The Perpetual White Moss is a Damask Rose: it is pretty only in bud; for, when expanded, the flower is ill-shaped. This made a great noise in the rose world when it first appeared; but its reputation for beauty was much over-rated. However, if grown luxuriantly, it produces immense clusters of buds, which have a very

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elegant and unique appearance. This rose is a proof, often occurring, that florists are apt to designate a plant by some name descriptive of what they wish it to be, rather than of what it is. The Perpetual Moss is not perpetual; but, like the Old Monthly Damask Rose, in moist autumns and in rich soils, it sometimes puts forth flowering branches. The Luxembourg Moss, or "Ferrugineuse," has been raised from seed, within these few years, in the Luxembourg Gardens. It is evidently much tinged with the dark colouring of some variety of Rosa gallica, and approaches to that grand desideratum, a dark crimson Moss Rose. This is most certainly a superb variety, of great luxuriance of growth, forming a fine standard: it will probably be the parent of a dark Moss Rose still more splendid, as it bears seed freely. Lancel is a new variety, much esteemed by the French amateurs. They admire it for its "elegantly cut sepals;" but it really does not possess enough distinctive character for this country. In colour, it differs but little from the Crimson Moss, though it is usually not so bright. The Mottled Moss is pretty; but in some seasons it is scarcely shaded, and loses all claims to its name.

The Scarlet Moss, the Mousseuse de la Flèche of the French, from being originated at the town of La Flèche, is a pretty brilliant rose, with flowers nearly as small as the Pompone Moss, but not so double. The Spotted Moss is also a French variety; but its spots do not add to its beauty in the eyes of the English florist; though, in France, any distinguishing feature in a flower, however absurd, is seized with avidity to mark a variety. The Old Striped Moss is a singular rose, of delicate growth, often producing flowerstems and buds entirely without moss, still its glaucous foliage and striped flowers give the plant a pretty original appearance. The New Striped Moss has not yet bloomed here. This is said to be a pure white and red rose; but, most likely, it will be very inconstant, as all the striped roses of the Provence tribe are. The Sage-leaved Moss is a good

double rose, remarkable only for its leaves, which are much like those of the common sage. The Single Moss and Single Lilac Moss, are desirable as being distinct, and capable of bearing seed from which new varieties may be raised. Rivers's Single Moss is inclined to be semi-double. This is a remarkably luxuriant grower, as is the Single Crimson Moss, a seedling which bloomed for the first time in the season of 1836; a rose quite worth notice, for its colour is beautiful; and, as it is a true Moss Rose, and bears seed abundantly, it will, I hope, be the parent of some first-rate varieties. The White Bath or Clifton Moss is a favourite and beautiful rose: this owes its origin to a sporting branch of the common Moss, which was found in a garden at Clifton, near Bristol, about thirty years since, from whence it was distributed. The Old White Moss is, perhaps, a French variety, as the French cultivators, when speaking of the Clifton Moss, call it Mousseuse Blanche Anglaise; and the Old White Moss, M. Blanche Ancienne. This has not so much moss as the Clifton, and is not pure white, but inclining to a pale flesh-colour: it is also much more delicate in habit.

Moss Roses, when grown on their own roots, require a light and rich soil in such soils, they form fine masses of beauty in beds on lawns. In cold and clayey soils, they in general succeed much better worked on the Dog Rose, forming beautiful standards. I have ascertained that they establish themselves much better on short stems, from two to three feet in height, than on taller stems. If short, the stem increases in bulk progressively with the head, and the plants will then live and flourish a great many years.

To give a succession of bloom, the plants intended to flower early should be pruned in October, and those for the second series the beginning of May; shortening their shoots, as recommended for the Provence Roses: give them also an abundant annual dressing of manure on the surface, in November.

THE FRENCH ROSE.

(ROSA GALLICA.)

The French Rose (Rosa gallica of botanists) is an 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. It was one of the earliest roses introduced to our gardens. 1596 is given by botanists as the date of its introduction; 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 colours. The Semi-double Red Rose, grown in Surrey for the druggists, is of this family, and a very slight remove from the original species, which is of the same colour, with but one range of petals, or single. All the roses of this group are remarkable for their compact and upright growth; many for the multiplicity of their petals, and tendency to produce variegated flowers. Some of these spotted and striped roses are very singular and beautiful. The formation of the flower, in of the superior modern varieties of Rosa gallica, is very regular; so that most probably this family will ultimately be the favourite of those florists who show roses for prizes, in the manner that dahlias are now exhibited; that is, as fullblown flowers, one flower on a stem; for they bear carriage better, when fully expanded, than any other roses. In France, this is called the "Provins Rose ;" and some varieties of it are classed in a separate division, as "Agathe Roses." These have curled foliage, and pale-coloured compact flowers, remarkable for their crowded petals. That

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very old striped rose, sometimes improperly called the "York and Lancaster" Rose, seems to have been one of the first variations of Rosa gallica, as it is mentioned by most of our early writers on gardening. This is properly "Rosa mundi:" the true York and Lancaster Rose is a Damask Rose.

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, yet offer so few prominent descriptive characteristics. Some of the new varieties lately introduced, though much prized in France, have not yet bloomed well here: the change of climate seems to have affected them. A' Fleurs à Feuilles Marbrées, as the name implies, has its leaves and flowers marbled or stained, as are also its branches. This rose is so double, that it has as much the appearance of a ranunculus as a rose; and, in fine weather, is very beautiful; but wet soon disfigures it. Aglae Adanson is a fine marbled rose, something like the above in colour, but with much larger flowers, which are double, finely formed, and open freely. Anarelle is a large cupped and finely shaped rose; its outer petals pale lilac; its centre of a deep purplish rose, distinct and good. Aspasie is one of the most delicate and beautiful roses known; for its form is quite perfect, a little inclining to be globular, like some of the hybrid China Roses. Aurélie is much like the last in colour 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 coloured crimson and scarlet flowers, on one stem, are always admired. Belle Herminie is a semi-double spotted rose, remarkable as being the parent of most of the spotted and marbled varieties. Berlèse is a fine rose, with a dark purple ground spotted with crimson; and, before it is faded by the mid-day sun, it is very beautiful. Belle de Fontenay is now a well-known variety, but quite unique, as its margined flowers are distinct and characteristic.

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