A correspondent of the Gardeners' Chronicle says:

"Comparisons are out of place, but there are few orchids that would be chosen before a well grown forced rose bush in the spring months. The English-raised tea roses now compete successfully with the best of Continental varieties. Mr. Bennett, of Shepperton, has sent out, and has yet in his possession, many of superior merit. Cleopatra, exhibited at South Kensington and at Richmond quite recently, is of the President type, but the flowers stand erect, and the deep, shell-like petals of a rosy salmon color, and of great substance, surpass that good old variety. Princess Beatrice is quite distinct in character, but has proved to be quite as valuable as a summer rose as it had previously shown its merits for early spring forcing. The stems of many of the flowers of tea roses are not strong enough to hold the flowers erect; Princess Beatrice has not this fault, but has as stout flower-stems as some of the hybrid perpetuals; the flowers are also full, and of the color of Madame Falcot. This fine variety received a first class certificate in March last at the Crystal Palace, and another first class at Richmond on June 29. As the rose shows are just commencing, it would be premature to comment on the new continental varieties until they are over, and information has been obtained from growers in distant localities".