Page images
PDF
EPUB

a flower that will expand in the morning should be opened the afternoon or evening previous, and the anthers all removed with a pair of pointed scissors; the following morning when this flower is fully expanded it must be fertilised with a flower of some variety, of which it is desired to have seedlings partaking largely of its qualities. To exemplify this, we will suppose that a climbing Moss Rose with red or crimson flowers is wished for: the flowers of the Blush Ayrshire, which bears seed abundantly, may be selected, and before expansion the anthers removed; the following morning, or as soon after the operation as these flowers open, they should be fertilised with those of the Luxembourg Moss; if the operation succeed seed will be procured, from which the probability is, that a climbing rose will be produced with the habit and flowers of the Moss Rose, or at least an approximation to them; and as these hybrids often bear seed freely, by repeating the process with them, the at present apparent from the latter, so that it is fertilised solely with the pollen of the former. In some cases, where it is desirable to have the qualities of both parents in an equal degree, the removal of the anthers must not take place; thus, I have found by removing them from the Luxembourg Moss, and fertilising that rose with a dark variety of Rosa Gallica, that the features of the Moss Rose are totally lost in its offspring, and they become nearly pure varieties of the former; but if the anthers of the Moss Rose are left untouched, and it is fertilised with Rosa Gallica, interesting hybrids are the result, more or less mossy; this seems to make superfetation very probable; yet Dr. Lindley in "Theory of Horticulture" page 332, "thinks it is not very likely to occur."

remote chance of getting a climbing Moss Rose may be brought very near.

I mention the union of the Moss and Ayrshire Rose by way of illustration, and merely to point out to the amateur how extensive and how interesting a field of operations is open in this way. I ought to give a fact that has occurred in my own experience, which will tell better with the sceptical than a thousand anticipations. About four years since, in a pan of seedling Moss Roses, was one with a most peculiar habit, even when very young; this has since proved a hybrid rose, partaking much more of the Scotch Rose than of any other, and till the plant arrived at full growth I thought it a Scotch Rose, the seed of which had by accident been mixed with that of the Moss Rose, although I had taken extreme care; to my surprise it has since proved a perfect hybrid, having the sepals and the fruit of the Provence Rose, with the spiny and dwarf habit of the Scotch Rose; it bears abundance of heps, which are all abortive.* The difference in the fruit of the Moss and Provence Rose, and those of the Scotch is very remarkable, and this it was which drew my particular attention to the plant in question; it was raised

It is more than probable, that if the flowers of this rose were fertilised with those of the single Moss Rose, they would produce seed from which some curious hybrid moss roses might be expected.

from the same seed, and in the same seed-pan as the Single Crimson Moss Rose; as this strange hybrid came from a Moss Rose accidentally fertilised, we may expect that art will do much more for us.

The following extract from the Botanical Register for January 1840 will, I think, go to prove that these expectations are not without foundation :

"My principal reason for publishing a figure of this very remarkable plant, Fuchsia Standishii, is because it is a mule between Fuchsia fulgens and Fuchsia globosa, two plants as dissimilar as possible in the same genus. The former, indeed, figured in this work for the year 1838; tab. 1. differs in so many respects from the common species of the genus, especially in having an herbaceous stem and tuberous roots, that it has been supposed impossible that it should be a Fuchsia at all. It now, however, appears, from the fact of its crossing freely with the common Fuchsias, that it produces hybrids, and really does belong to the genus. These hybrids are completely intermediate between the two parents: in this case having the leaves, flowers, and habit of their mother, Fuchsia globosa, with the hairiness and tenderness of foliage of their father, some of his colouring, and much of his herbaceous character. It is by no means necessary to take Fuchsia globosa for the female parent, as

It was

Fuchsia fulgens is found to intermix readily with many other species. That which is now figured is the handsomest I have seen. raised by Mr. John Standish, Nurseryman, Bagshot, who sent me specimens last July, together with flowers of several others of inferior appearance. He tells me that it is an exceedingly free bloomer, with a stiff erect habit; and I can state, from my personal knowledge, that the plant is very handsome."

Now this is from Dr. Lindley, who may be quoted as a weighty authority; and this plant is a hybrid between two, one of which, I believe, it was seriously contemplated to place out of the genus Fuchsia, so dissimilar did it appear to any known species of that genus. After this, we may hope for a Mossy Bourbon Rose, and a Yellow Ayrshire.

PLANTING.

November and December are so well known to be favourable months for planting the Summer blooming Roses, that it is thought by many amateurs no others are or can be so eligible: applied to dry sandy soils this idea is quite correct; but on wet retentive soils February is much better, as the holes can be opened in winter so that the mould is pulverised by frost.

102

THE

AUTUMNAL ROSE GARDEN.

To Autumnal Roses we are much indebted for that prolonged season of interest which this "Queen of Flowers " now gives. The roses of June, however splendid, soon fade; but some Perpetual, or Noisette, or Bourbon roses enrich our gardens with their perfume and gay colours, till the chills of approaching winter prevent the expansion of their flowers. Among the most fragrant of these autumnal beauties are

PERPETUAL ROSES.

This division has as much variety in its origin as in its appearance: it would, indeed, be a difficult task to trace the parentage of some of the justly esteemed varieties of this family. Our old red and white monthly roses have, no doubt, contributed their share of sweet assistance; for, in many of them, the powerful fragrance of these two very old damask roses is apparent, and no perfume can be more pleasing.

« PreviousContinue »