PREFACE. I WROTE A Book about Roses, because, having grown them lovingly and shown them successfully for more than twenty years, I thought that the results of my experience would be acceptable to others; and the demand for a third edition, nine months after the publication of the first, has realised my happiest hope. The present volume, carefully revised, after an inspection of the great Rose-shows of the season, at which, as one of the judges, I had special facilities of observation-after visits to public and private Rosaries and after much interesting conversation and correspondence with our chief Rosarians-will be found. to contain the latest intelligence and the best information as to the selection and the cultivation of Roses. S. REYNOLDS HOLE. CAUNTON MANOR, August 1870. A BOOK ABOUT CHAPTER I. CAUSES OF FAILURE. consume. E who would have beautiful Roses in his garden must have beautiful Roses in his heart. He must love them well and always. To win, he must woo, as Jacob wooed Laban's daughter, though drought and frost He must have not only the glowing admiration, the enthusiasm, and the passion, but the tenderness, the thoughtfulness, the reverence, the watchfulness of love. With no ephemeral caprice, like the fair young knight's, who loves and who rides away when his sudden fire is gone from the cold white ashes, the cavalier of the Rose has semper fidelis upon his crest and shield. He is loyal and devoted ever, in storm-fraught or in sunny days; not only the first upon a summer's morning to gaze admiringly on glowing charms, but the first, when leaves fall and winds are chill, to protect against cruel frost. As with smitten bachelor or steadfast mate the lady of his love is lovely ever, so to the true Rose-grower must the Rose-tree be always a thing of beauty. To others, when its flowers have faded, it may be worthless as a hedgerow thorn: to him, in every phase, it is precious. I am no more the Rose, it says, but cherish me, for we have dwelt together; and the glory which has been, and the glory which shall be, never fade from his heart. Is it rare or frequent this fond and complete affection? Go to one of our great exhibitions, and you must surely bring the conviction home, that true love, however rare in the outer world, may be always found "among the Roses." From all grades and epochs of life, what vows of constancy, what fervid words! "Sir Thomas and "Sir Thomas and I are positively going to ruin ourselves with a new Rosarium." "As soon as I get home," says a country rector, "I shall plant an acre of my glebe with Roses." There you may see a Royal Duchess so surprised out of her normal calmness, that she raises two pale pink gloves in an ecstasy of surprise, and |