Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-11-11
Horticultural Topics
Conducted BY p. j. Berckmans
ABOUT ROSES.


cause of the large number which have
little or no ornamental value. Upwards
of 100 species are described, and as these
are disseminated throughout the various
countries of the world, they have by
cross polennation produced well defined
sections as recognized by rosarians.
From these numerous species, cultiva-
tors have combined the best characters
tics of those indigenous to certain coun-
tries, thus making the growing of roses
possible from extreme cold climate to the
tropical providing that proper discrim-
ination as to their relative adaptability is
considered. In the southern states the
climatic conditions although of great va
Rance, permit the cultivation of many
more sections, now recognized as
types, than are possible further north.
For instance the exquisitely shaped and
scented tea roses which are the glory
of our southern gardens require artificial
glass cultivation in colder regions, but
there under slxillful manipulation wonder
fully perfect flowers are produced, the eX-
act temperature which viii bring out
their finest points can thus be better reg
ulated than is possible in open ground
cultivation, where sharp winds or herce
sunshine often causes rapid discoloration
or whitening OF the flowers. The months
of September and October are the best TO
see roses in perfection at the south, be-
cause Of diminishing hot weather and cool
nights.
In addition to the tea rose class we have
the magnificent Noisette and Banksia
Pections, which do not succeed where the
mercury falls to zero, and in those sec
tions the amateur rosarian has TO de-
pend for climbing roses upon the more
hardy sections of Prairie, Polyontha, and
the recently introduced improved varieties
IF latter section bids
fair to give eventually an entirely new
race of climbing roses. but so far they
are only spring bloomers. Whenever
perpetual blooming rose of this class can
be produced. then northern gardens can
be adorned with additional material Of
which there is at present no represen-
tative there.
AS our climate of the middle south is
congenial to many classes of roses and
the material for selecting so vast, we are
often apt to secure varieties which do not
give the anticipated results.
In reviewing the lists Of new roses
which have been introduced within the
past ten years, as compared with those
of a previous similar period, the number
of the latest introductions, although
many times greater, contains a much
smaller proportion Of really good Vari-
cites than are those OF the older period
ing for the numberless Indifferent varie-
ties which have of late years encountered
sorue nursery catalogues, the main one
being that the forcing of roses under glass
has stimulated the production of varieties
intended for that purpose, but when these
are grown IN open ground they seldom
give the perfect flowers which they pro-
duce under glass culture. The majority OF
the tea roses introduced during the past
faRa lx- even
in this instance the really profitable COM
ymercial sorts number hardly one dozen,
as can be seen from the wholesale florists
market reports. The successful forcing
of roses requires a great deal Of expert
ence, because the same treatment cannot
be given to all varieties, hence we find
that with some growers certain sorts sue
coed better than with others, although
grown under every possible care. There
fore we find that a few special varieties
are grown in the western or eastern states
according to locality. but not outside OF
these. Again, a certain flower becomes
fashionable for a time, but fashions are
changing and capricious, and the favorite
of a season is often relegated for another
in. the next. Still there are some roses
which will long hold their sway in socie-
ty demands.
The American Beauty, La France, Bride
and Bridesmaid. Meteor and Perle des jar
dins win be difficult to dethrone and re-
main the standby of the growers Of fore
ed roses for q. long time
But as our remarks refer mainly to the
garden culture the foregoing reference TO
the forcing of roses will suftice.
Out of fully 800 varieties of tea roses to
which we have given a full trial from two
to five years and introduced during the
past decade we have retained less than
so. whereas of the older sorts appearing
during the previous 40 years a much
larger proportion are still upon our list.
Among these old standard sorts we have
Bon Silene, Caroline Kuster, Duchesse de
Brabant, Marie Guillot. Gloire de Digon.
Hermosa, Marie Van Houtte, Perle des
Jardins and an additional score which
have withstood many years of cultivation
and still retain a robust constitution.
These roses originated before the forcing
period began and were disseminated by
the originators because of their good
blooming qualities and strong constitu-
ton Very seldom are any of these old
favorites affected with what is termed
Idle back" a portion Of the branches
dying after a hard frost. This trouble
seems to be inherent to many of the
lately introduced sorts, especially those
that produce large and well-formed
flowers, and is a sign OF weak constitu-
ton, whereas the Indifferent boomers are
more free from it, but all they have in
their favor is a strong growth. We look
more for a good flower than poor
blooming but healthy plant. Some OF
the most exquisite varieties. especially
among the hybrid teas, as La France.
Caroline Testout, white La France, etc,
which Yield a profusion of flowers, lack
vigor and should be budded upon thrifty
growing stocks which promote their
growth Many varieties of teas, like Per
lede Lyon Perle des Jardins, kaiserin Au-
gusta Victoria, the finest Of all white teas,
etc, always make a stronger growth and
yield more perfect flowers when budded
upon Manetti stocks than when grown
upon their own roots.
Another sign of weakness in many OF
the newer roses is a deficiency in their
root system. While this defect is less
apparent in plants grown under glass, 1t
is a serious one when these varieties are
grown upon their own roots in open
ground. and this accounts for the loss of
numerous plants which should be left for
the forcing system.
Even when some of these weakly eonSti-
tuted varieties are budded upon strong
growing stocks they are seldom satisfac-
tory and have gradually disappeared from
cultivation. One of the most perfect flow
ers Of the hybrid perpetual class that APP
peared in 1889 and which at once secured
leading place among foreign roses was
the Puritan, across between Mabel Nor
rison and Devoniensis, with large, very
full. cup-shaped. pure white flowers and
an unusually free bloomer during the
r-.oia s,,pouner With all those fine nOinfs