. It was then considered something of a novelty; and I
recollect how we all began cultivating it in our gardens, and that we
were enraptured, as were the blackbirds and thrushes, by its large,
handsome bright scarlet fruit in the autumn.

The varieties in cultivation in those days were _alba_ the single white,
introduced in 1784 by Thunberg, a very lovely flower; and _rubra_, the
single pinkish-red (Cels. 1802). The hybridists began work upon these
some twenty years ago. Paul and Son brought out _America_ in 1895; and
the fine _Atropurpurea_ in 1900, one of the very best singles, deep
glowing crimson with brilliant golden stamens when opening at sunrise,
and turning purple later in the day. Double hybrids were also raised,
the charming white _Mme. Georges Bruant_, 1888; _Blanc double de
Coubert_, 1892; _Belle Poitevin_, 1895, rose-coloured and very fragrant;
and the handsome _Rose a parfum de l'Hay_, 1904, carmine cerise and
deliciously scented. _Fimbriata_, 1891, semi-double, white tinted blush,
the edge of the petals fringed like a dianthus, is perhaps the prettiest
of all, and is specially suited for growing as an isolated bush.

[Illustration: RUGOSA.

CONRAD FERDINAND MEYER.]

But of all the hybrids none can be compared to the superb _Conrad
Ferdinand Meyer_ (Mueller, 1900). This last is said to be crossed with
_Gloire de Dijon_. It certainly possesses just the same rich fragrance
as that invaluable rose, while its beautiful colour, a warm tender pink,
its large size and perfect form, its more than vigorous growth, and its
persistence in blooming--I have it in flower here from the middle of May
till December--render it one of the most valuable additions to the rose
garden of the new century.

Besides these there are numbers of other varieties, as the continental
growers, such as Bruant, Cochet, Gravereaux, Schwartz, etc., have
paid considerable attention to these roses of late years. But the future
of this race is bound to be a very important one, and so far we have not
in the least realized what its effect may be.

PROVENCE ROSES, _R. Centifolia_.

Cabbage, or Common Provence, 1596. Rosy pink.

Crested. _Vibert_, 1827. Rosy pink, pale edges.

Unique, or White Provence. _Grimwood_, 1777. Paper
white.

Sulphurea, or the Old Yellow Provence. Golden
yellow.

Miniature Provence Roses.

De Meaux, 1814. Rosy lilac.

Spong