that this is also the rose of the Persian poets, in the fragrant groves of which they love to describe their "bulbul," or nightingale, as enchanting them with its tuneful notes. The probability that this is the famed rose of Persia is strengthened by the fact, that it is much more fragrant in the evening, or in the cool weather of autumn, than at any other time or season, and probably in the hot climate of Persia, only so in the coolness of night, when nightingales delight to sing. A recent traveller also remarks that the roses of Persia are remarkably small and fragrant. There are doubtless many seminal varieties of the species; their flowers differing in colour, but possessing the leading features of the original. Olivier, who travelled in the first six years of the French republic, mentions a rose tree at Ispahan, called the "Chinese Rose Tree," fifteen feet high, formed by the union of several stems, each four or five inches in diameter. Seeds from this tree were sent to Paris, and produced the common Musk Rose. It seems therefore possible and probable, that this has been the parent of nearly all their garden roses; for, like most orientals, their habits are not, and have not been, enterprising enough to stimulate them to import roses from distant countries. Large and very old plants of the Musk Rose may sometimes be seen in the gardens of old English country houses.

The Blush Musk, or Fraser's Musk, or Rosa

Fraserii, is not quite a pure Musk Rose: but as it is the only rose of this division of the colour, and also very fragrant, it has been much planted: its flowers are semi-double, and produced in large clusters. Eponine is a pure white, and very double variety, one of the prettiest of the group. The fringed or toothed Musk Rose has the end of each petal indented: this is a vigorous-growing and very fragrant little rose. Princesse de Nassau is a very distinct and good variety, very fragrant, and blooming in large clusters; the flower-buds, before they open, are nearly yellow, changing to cream colour as they expand. The Ranunculus, or new White Musk, is merely an improved variety of the old or original Musk Rose, with flowers more double. Tea-scented is a hybrid, with large flowers of a pure white, and very pretty; this is apparently a seedling from the Musk Rose, fertilised with some variety of the Tea-scented Rose, as it has a most peculiar habit and perfume.

Moschata Nivea, or the " Snow Bush," and one or two other roses, from Nepaul, have the scent peculiar to this group; but as they bloom but once in the summer, and differ totally in some other respects from the true Rosa moschata, I have not included them. For the culture of the roses of this division, that recommended for Noisette roses, in beds and as standards, may be adopted, as their habits are very similar.

THE MACARTNEY ROSE.

(ROSA BRACTEAta.)

The single Macartney Rose was brought from China, in 1795, by Lord Macartney, on his return from his embassy to that country. It now forms the original of a pretty family; but as it does not bear seed freely, even in France, fine varieties, as yet, are not abundant; its strictly evergreen and shining foliage is a beautiful feature; and I hope ere long to see numerous varieties, with double flowers of the same brilliant hues as our other fine roses possess. Time will prove; but I think it is not too much to anticipate, that, ultimately, we shall not be satisfied unless all our roses, even the moss roses, have evergreen foliage, brilliant and fragrant flowers, and the habit of blooming from June till November. This seems to be an extravagant anticipation; but perseverance in gardening will yet achieve wonders. The Double (the old variety) was the first double Macartney Rose raised from seed: it is mentioned here to caution any one from planting it, as it is totally worthless, its flowers constantly dropping off without opening. The Double Blush or Tea Victoire Modeste is so much hybridised with the Tea-scented rose, that it has lost many of the characters of

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the group: in dry situations this is a most beautiful rose, but in wet weather its flowers do not open well. Maria Leonida is now an established favourite: its fine bell-shaped flowers of the purest white, sometimes slightly tinged with pink towards their centre, and its bright red anthers peeping from among its central petals, give it an elegant and pleasing character. Rosa Hardii, or Rosa Berberifolia Hardii, is a most interesting rose, lately raised from seed by Monsieur Hardy, of the Luxembourg Gardens, from Rosa involucrata, a variety of Rosa bracteata, fertilised with that unique rose, Rosa berberifolia, or the Single Yellow Persian rose. This curious hybrid, like its Persian parent, has single yellow flowers with a dark eye (much like Cistus formosus), and evergreen foliage; it seems quite hardy, and forms the very prettiest little bush possible. It will probably be the parent of an entirely new group; and what can be imagined more interesting in roses than varieties with double yellow flowers and evergreen leaves.

Macartney Roses sometimes suffer when exposed to severe frost in the open borders of the flower-garden: they will therefore require the same protection as recommended for the Noisette roses in cold situations. Maria Leonida is a fine border rose, for, by pegging down its shoots as they are produced in summer, a few plants soon cover a bed, or clump, with a dense mass of

foliage and flowers, ornamenting the flowergarden from three to four months in summer and autumn: it also forms a very fine standard.

It requires the burning sun of Italy to make these roses produce their seed: yet, by perseverance and careful cultivation, this desirable end may be obtained. To raise a double variety of Rosa Hardii is, at any rate, worth attempting. A flued wall must be used to train the plants to; and in small gardens, where there is not such a convenience, a hollow wall might be built, about four or five feet in height and ten or twelve feet long, of two courses of four-inch brickwork, with a space between, into one end of which an Arnott's stove might be introduced, and a pipe carried in a straight line through to the opposite end (each end must of course be built up to keep in the hot air); this pipe would heat the air between the two courses of brickwork sufficiently for the purpose. A fire should be kept every night from the middle of May to the middle of July; and this treatment would possibly induce some of these roses to give their seed. Rosa Hardii would bloom freely if trained to a hot wall; and, if fertilised with the Double Yellow Briar, seed may perhaps be obtained. Lucida, with the Yellow China Rose, will also be an experiment worth trying. Maria Leonida, fertilised with the Tuscany Rose, might also give some