SHIPPING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5739, 5 December 1896, Page 5

SHIPPING.

LONDON, Dec. 5. Sailed — Tokomaru, for Auckland. ROSES IN 1896. MR H. P. MTJRRAY-AYNSLEY'S COLLECTION. Mr Murray-Aynsley's garden is almost an ideal garden for rose cultivation, being sheltered from the high winds that are so troublesome to our roses just as they are unfolding their petals ; a north-west wind, particularly, forces the blooms open before they can acquire their proper substance and fulness. The garden is also partially shaded from the fierce rays of the sun ; different positions can be selected for those varieties that enjoy the sun and those that love a little shade, while those whose delicate texture is soon scorched under the direct rays .of the midday sun, can be planted where they are shaded at the proper time. The soil evidently suits the roses, judging from their luxuriant condition. The blooms from this collection have taken high honours in many a contest at the Horticultural Society's exhibitions, though, perhaps, not so often as they might if the date of the Eose Show had been fixed to suit \ them. The show is generally held too late for this collection, as they are rather earlier than most of the other collections that take part in the competitions. This collection is very complete, and contains examples of several old favourites not often seen. One rose, it Cloth of Gold, is worth travelling 1 miles to see. Just now it is a glorious sight, and it is a grand old rose — it has been in commerce over fifty years. The writer of these notes has often heard old English rosarians declare that the most glorious of all roses was Cloth of Gold ; but in every instance they had seen it in perfection, not in England, but in the South of France. If they ever saw it in better condition than this plant of Mr MurrayAynsley's there is no wonder at their verdict. This plant is growing on the end of a building, and is covered with a grand crop of beautiful blooms, large in size, of good substance and exquisite colour. It is no exaggeration to say that tweuty-four blooms could be cut from this one plant, fit for any competition. Another rose that is in first-class condition here is Souvenir dun Ami. It is large and full, the colour hard to describe — Salmon rose it is often called, but this hardly does it justice. The blooms on this bush are large and full, and of good substance. This variety was introduced just fifty years ago— in 1846. It is unfortunate that the best blooms on this bush will bo over before the show is held. Another favourite tea, The Bride, has a crop of beautiful buds. This is a good exhibition variety, and one of the finest when in good condition. It is a white sport from Catherine Mermet, and has all themeritsof itsparent. Souvenir deMadame Pernet anda large number of other tea and noisette varieties are looking well. Among the hybrid perpetuals the ever bright and beautiful A. K. Williams is most in evidence; its bright red, ex-quisitely-formed bloom's always command attention, and it is about the most useful of its colour among all the many red hybrid perpetuals. John Hopper is not often seen so good as it is in this collection. Maurice BeriNirdin and many other hybrid perpetuals gr>e promise of good blooms. Several large bushes of La Prance are covered with good buds and luxuriant foliage.