Roses.

Otago Witness, Issue 1765, 19 September 1885, Page 7

Roses.

'/"he Show of the National Kose Society was held at South Kensington on the 7th of July, The various p'rkes were keenly contested, ana although there were three remarkably hot .days jnst preceding the day of the Show, by which a large lumber of blooms -were injured to thedisappointm'CHt of the growers, still the large building was crowded with exhibits, and the display of roses was considered one of the best ever seen. The first prize for the largest collection—72 blooms— was taken by Mr R. B. Cant, of Colchester ; and the second prize by Messrs Paul and Son, Chesham. Nearly all the prizes among the amateurs were awarded to clergymen. A new feature iv the Show was the awarding of prizes for moss roses, garden roses, and button-hole roses, which served to reintroduce some old and well-nigh forgotten favourites. The best single bloom (nurserymen) was Comtesse de Nadaillac. Other extra fine blooms were Catherine Mermet, Anna Olivier, Souvenir de Paul Nerou, Hon. Edith Gifford, Nippetos, Madame Marie Armand, Souvenir dun Ami, Madame Jamain, Marechal Neil, Jean Ducher, Madame Bravy, and Madame Augele Jacquier. In new seedling roses Mr H. Bennett was the only exhibitor, taking the gold medal for Mrs John Laing, a distinct rose, light pink, with a silvery sheen on the petals ; less in size than Her Majesty, and perhaps more available for decorative purposes, and with a delicious perfume. One writer describes it: "The rose of the Show was Mr i Bennett's new triumph, Mrs John Laing, a deep rose-coloured flower, large, solid, symmetrical, and very fragrant. It is something like Frangois Michelon, something like Mons. Norman, and in form a little like La France, yet quite distinct from all of them— a grand rose." ■ A number of prizes were also awarded to nurserymeil for the best varieties of new roses not in commerce previous to 1883. Among these Messrs Paul and Son received the second prize for Marshall P. Wilder, a crimson ; Longfellow, purple ; Madame Francesque Reve, purplish, rose; Sunset, fawn; Norman teruda, purple rose} Eclair, crimson; Grace Darling, a full crimson. Although the varieties of roses are already " too numerous td naention," their number is yearly increasing, and for each new one sent out a particular and distinctive superiority is claimed.