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THE DAMASK ROSE.

(ROSA DAMASCENA.)

The "Damask Rose" is a name familiar to every reader of English poetry, as it has been eulogised more than any other rose, and its colour described with a poet's licence. In these glowing descriptions the truth, as is frequently the case in poetry, has been entirely lost sight of; for in plain unvarnished prose it must be stated that the original Damask Rose, and the earlier varieties, such as must have been the roses of our poets, though peculiarly fragrant, are most uninteresting plants; however we must not ungratefully depreciate them, for they are the types of our present new beautiful and fragrant varieties. The original species with single flowers is said to be a native of Syria, from whence it was introduced to Europe in 1573: varieties of it are still grown in the gardens of Damascus. The branches of the Damask rose are green, long, and diffuse in their growth; leaves pubescent, and in general placed far asunder; prickles on most of the varieties abundant. To those old members of this family, the red and the white monthly, which by some peculiar excitability often put forth flowers in warm moist autumns, nearly all our perpetual roses owe their origin, so that we

can now depend upon having roses as fragrant in October as in June. The York and Lancaster rose, with pale striped flowers, is one of the oldest varieties of this division in our gardens. There is perhaps a little too much sameness of character in some of the varieties of the Damask rose; their gradations of colour are sometimes too delicate to be distinct, but the following may be depended upon as fine leading sorts.

Arlinde, a beautifully formed rose, of a delicaterose colour, is not a pure damask, as its foliage is less pubescent than in some other varieties. Angele is a pretty bright-coloured rose, very double and distinct. Blanche bordé de Rouge is a fine rose when it opens well, but in moist weather its petals are too numerous to expand freely; sometimes its flowers are pure white, at others finely margined with purplish red. Bachelier, so named from a Belgian amateur, is one of the finest show-roses in this division, producing large double compact flowers, of a fine rose-colour, and very perfect shape. Claudine is a new variety that has scarcely yet shown itself in perfection, but it appears to be a fineshaped pale rose, distinct and good. Couronne Blanche is a pure Damask rose, distinct in habit, and a pretty white variety. Coralie is a beautifully formed rose, of a pale flesh-colour, with rosy centre, to which several of this family

are inclined.

Déesse Flore is a first-rate

variety, with flowers rather larger than Coralie, and much like it in colour: when about half expanded they are most beautiful.

Imperatrice is not a pure Damask rose, but very nearly allied. This is a large compact rose, very robust, and distinct in habit. La Fiançée seems a hybrid between the Globe hip and the Damask, a pretty shaded rose, nearly white, with a pale rosy centre. La Ville de Bruxelles is a new variety, with rose-coloured flowers, very large and double: this is a distinct and fine rose. Lady Fitzgerald is a beautiful rose, most valuable in this division, as its brilliant rose-coloured flowers are so conspicuous in a clump of Damask roses; this is not a pure Damask rose, but very nearly so its foliage when young is a little stained with the colouring matter of some variety of Rosa gallica, which much adds to its beauty. Ma Favorite is a very small rose, of a delicate flesh-colour, and exceedingly neat and pretty. Madame Hardy was raised from seed in the Luxembourg gardens, by Monsieur Hardy in 1832; this is not a pure Damask rose, as its leaves have scarcely any pubescence; but a more magnificent rose does not exist, for its luxuriant habit and large and finely shaped flowers place it quite first among the white roses.

Madame de Maintenon is a pretty delicate

rose with deeper colouring towards its centre; this is a new variety, and has not yet bloomed quite in perfection. Mohéléda is a hybrid

Damask, with large double rose-coloured flowers, prettily marbled: this is a new and good rose. The Painted Damask is a rose which for some time to come will be a favourite, as it is distinct and beautiful; its large and thick foliage and painted flowers are quite unique, but like most of the variegated roses it is a little inconstant, as its flowers are sometimes pure white; in general, however, the outer edge of each petal is tinged with a fine purple.

Some pretty and interesting varieties have lately been added to these favourites of the poets. The Duke of Cambridge,-which I at first thought a Hybrid China, will perhaps be better grouped with the Damask roses, of which it largely partakes,—is a very fine rose, of a vivid rose colour, and robust luxuriant growth. Mohéléda is an interesting variety, with very pretty rose-coloured flowers delicately marbled with blush. Belle d'Auteuil is a large and perfect show-rose of great beauty when flowering in perfection. Bella Donna is a true Damask rose, bearing a profusion of delicate pink or bright rose-coloured flowers. Adonis, as a pretty pale blush or rosy white variety, is quite worth cultivation.

The roses of this neat and elegant family have a pretty effect arranged in a mass; like the varieties of Rosa alba, they are so beautiful in contrast with the dark roses: they also form fine standards, more particularly Madame Hardy and the Painted Damask, which will grow into magnificent trees, if their culture is attended to. The pruning recommended for Rosa gallica will also do for these roses.

The only roses of this family that bear seed freely are the Purple Damask or Jersey Rose, which should be planted with Imperatrice. From this union large and very double roses might be expected; and the Painted Damask, if some of its central petals were removed, would probably bear seed: if fertilised with the Purple Damask some fine variegated roses might possibly be originated. Bella Donna with Lady Fitzgerald would produce some brilliant coloured roses, which are much wanted in this family.

THE SCOTCH ROSE.

(ROSA SPINOSISSIMA.)

The varieties of this distinct and pretty family owe their origin to the Dwarf Wild Rose of the north of England and Scotland, nearly all of

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