ROSES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1665, 27 January 1904, Page 70 (Supplement)

ROSES.

A contributor writing in a recent issue of tlie “Garden,” remarks“ Unmistakably the Drusohki rose is tlie finest novelty of the last few years. What a pity its original name of Snow Queen was not adopted, for it is the most regal of all the white roses grown. The grand half open flowers with their deep rigid petaiis are models of beauty. The tarnished outer petals are unavoidable in our climate outdoors, unless the blooms be protected; but under glass, this .disappears, so ‘that wo have in this variety a forced rose of the first order. If wo can obtain hybrid perpetual novelties such as this, with its splendid autumn flowering habit and extraordinary vigor, the hybrid teas will find formidable competitors for popular favour. But after aid is not this rose as much of a hybrid tea as some others already in the group? I think the words ‘hybrid tea’ will soon need to be revised. Cannot someone coin a word that will express all that is necessary without opening the door to dissension as to which group certain free flowering roses should belong to?” An enthusiastic rosarian. writing in an English exchange, states that tlie rose growers have been waiting, like queenletss bees in a hive looking out for a new ruler, for a good red Rose to have the qualities of an exhibition bloom on one hand, an abundantly free and oontinuons blooming habit on the other, a decidedly good colour, a sweet perfume and vigor. All these qualities are embodied ill the new Rose Etoile do France, which Mr Pernet Duclier, of Vennisseux-lets-Lyon, France, now gives to the would. It is just what was wanted to put beside Ivaiserin Augusta Victoria, Caroline Tesbout, Mane. Ravary, Mine. Pernet Duoher, Htan. Edith Clifford and the other beautiful and continuously flowering Roses which form our growing kingdom of the decorative Roses. Etoile. de France will be as popular among the dwarfs as Gloire da Dijon ha.s been among the climbers. As a matter of fact, in Colour it nearly approximates to Fisher Holmes, with a glow of scarlet bloom on its petals, which suggests Victor Hugo, while as for perfume it is the true otto of Roses; which we all like, with just a reminiscence in it of the bouquet of La. France, which may possibly enter into its pedigree. Its advent marks a. great advance in English gardens, and it is just what was wanted'.