The record-union., 1895-04-03
ROSE CULTURE.
Development of superb Variety by a
New York Florist.

Development of superb Variety by a
New York Florist.
A leading New York firm of florists
has succeeded in raising a new hybrid
tea rose," truly superb addition to the
queen of flowers. belle Siebrecht,"
which is the name of the new rose, is the
result of cross between "La France"
and Lady Mary Fitzwllliams." The
color is imperial pink. Schuyler f.
Matthews, the greatest authority on color
in America, pronounces it solid pink of
the richest shade, very rare color. The
flowers, which are sweetly perfumed, are
large. beautifully formed and of that long,
tapering shape, with high center, and
when halt blown the petals reflect in q
graceful manner. The buds, which are
borne on long crest stems one and a half
TO two feet In length, are two and half
to three inches long, and when fully
open the flowers are five and a half to
SIX inches IN diameter without showing
the center. The flowers have great SUBJ
stance. the petals, which are of heavy
texture, do not easily brulse or tarniSh.
They are good lasters, some having been
kept seven days without falling. 1t is a
Tree and vigorous bloomer, with large
ard glossy foliage Of leathery texture en-
tirelY free from mlldew; most prolific
feet flower.
The rose-growers of Europe have long
since tried 10 originate rose that COM
bines so many good qualities as Belle
SIebrecht' does, but American intelli-
gence and perseverance have been the
most successful 1t is certainly very in
teresting 10 know how new plants are
produced.
In our advanced times it is not merely
left to chance 10 get improvements on
our old iayorlieS, but science and close
observation have SHOWN that it can be
toreseen what the result OF crossing GER
tain varieties might Dc. We have learned
that plants viii take, i'll color of flower
and haDlLus. more alter their father
plant, and in hardness and adaptabillty
OF culture, more after their mother-plant.
Now in the attempt or producing the
ideal rose, to which belle Siebrecht" is
the nearest approach, LA France"
which mas held her own for over twenty
years, has always been used as a father
plant, and the difficulty has rested en-
tirely with the selection OF a mother
plant. a thorough knowledge ofthe many
varieties in cultivation, not only in re-
gard to their peculiarities as to culture
and usefulness, but III particular as TO their
adaptabiIlty as p2rent-plaut. was es-
sential. 1t was, therefore, not matter of
luck to choose Lady Mary Fitzwilliam,"
careful research.
1t should also be considered that the
growing OF new varieties is the most
tedious and disappointing enterprise a
person can venture in. The seed, which
is the immediate result OF the cross, is
sown as soon as it is matured. AS in
growing roses it takes mostly two years
before the seedlings can be induced to
bloom, and il there is one amongst them
that Is promising II Is prOpagated by cut
tings and by grating, anG the plants are
further tested as to their other qualities,
and it can be easily imagined how soon a
tault may be detected and the hopes and
expectations which have been fostered
for years are destroyed.
Belle Siebrechp has been grown for
three years by its originators, and made
It's debut In Washington on the 7th of
February at the state dinner in honor of
the Judiciary, where it was exclusively
used for decoration, and won the general
admiration Of the guests.