New varieties of Roses are continually produced by florists in Europe and America, and it is impossible to keep the run of all that are introduced. In many cases they are not improvements, and I should recommend that the old varieties be retained until the flowers of the new sorts have been seen; for, although there is something in a name, it does not prove that high-sounding names will, in all cases, represent improved flowers. Every one that buys a dozen new roses must expect to be disappointed in eleven of them.

Since writing the above, I have read an article on the New Roses of 1855, by Thomas Rivers, of England, who, it appears, has come to about the same conclusion as myself in regard to the merits of some of the new Roses. He says, " In common with most of our flowers and fruits, there are, every year, new Roses in abundance: but, owing to the present high standard of excellence in roses, but very few of the new varieties can be honestly recommended. It is true their names and their descriptions are enticing, owing to the false judgment of those who raise them from seed, who, with that peculiar leaning which every florist feels for a flower of his own creation, see in them qualities far above their deserts; they describe them with glowing language, because they love them as a parent loves his children, and are surprised when a cool, distinguished looker-on, points out defects which their affection-blinded eyes never detected. Of the sixty to eighty new varieties of Roses ' introduced to commerce,' as the French phrase is, during the autumn of 1854 and spring of 1855, many of them are pretty enough - for what Rose is not pretty ? - but those of really fine qualities, excelling, or even equalling, the fine standard sorts already known, are lamentably few; so much so, that one almost fears the point of perfection has been attained, and that no better Roses than those we now possess can or will be originated."