at
some of the most beautiful specimens of Wild Roses in existence,
especially those of rambling growth, have never been pruned at all. The
chief thing is always to retain the free, unfettered grace natural to
the plants. Pruning will help to do this, but it must be pruning of the
proper kind.

In the wilder parts of the garden the common Dog Rose (_R. canina_) and
its numerous varieties are worth a place; they flower well, and are
always beautiful in fruit. The same may be said of the Sweet Briar (_R.
rubiginosa_), the fragrance of whose young growths is always a delight,
whether in garden or hedgerow. _R. hibernica_, a British Rose, thought
to be a hybrid between the Scotch Rose and _R. canina_, comes in the
same category. It flowers earlier than the Dog Rose.

For the wild garden also there are several other Roses that may be
mentioned, such as _cinnamomea_, with rosy-red flowers and crimson
fruit; _nutkana_, _acicularis_, _pisocarpa_, and _californica_. Only
those are mentioned that from their greater beauty and distinctness
deserve a more detailed notice.

R. ALBA.--Although found wild in several parts of Europe, this, the
"Common White Rose" of Linnaeus, is supposed to be a hybrid between _R.
gallica_ and the Dog Rose. It is always found in places which lead to
the belief that it is not truly indigenous, but an escape from
cultivated grounds. The typical plant has white flowers that are
considerably larger than those of the Dog Rose, and the petals have more
substance. There are now numerous double-flowered varieties in gardens,
some beautifully tinged with rose.

R. ALBERTI.--A native of Turkestan, where it was discovered by M. Albert
Regel not many years ago. This is one of the rarest species of Rosa in
cultivation. The flowers are bright yellow, the leaves small and much
divided.

R. ALPINA.--This is the species from which the Boursault Roses have been
derived. It is a native of the Alps and Pyrenees. The stems are 4 to 5
feet high, and have few or no spines except when young. The flowers are
rosy red; the fruits red, often pear-shaped, and covered with bristles,
which, when rubbed, have a turpentine-like odour.

R. ARVENSIS (or R. REPENS).--From this species the Ayrshire Roses have
been obtained. It is naturally a trailing or climbing plant, having long
thin shoots and white flowers. When trained over tree stumps or rough
stakes and ultimately allowed to grow at will, it forms tangled masses
which are