ear
London had two thousand different sorts. It is still largely grown in
England for distilling purposes, on account of its delicious perfume;
and a field of the "Apothecary's rose" in full flower is a lovely sight
in July. But the chief centre of the industry used to be round Provins,
the old capital of La Brie, about sixty miles from Paris, on the way to
Chalons. Here vast fields were grown, the petals being used not only for
scent, but for conserves and medicinal purposes.

When well grown, namely well fed and well pruned by cutting out all the
weak wood and shortening back the strong shoots to six or seven eyes,
_Rosa gallica_ is worthy of a choice place as a decorative rose, whether
in the house or on the exhibition bench, when the almost single
flowers open and show their brilliant golden stamens. The best sorts
grown at present are _Oeillet Parfait_, _Perle des Panachees_, _Rosa
Mundi_, _Red Damask_ (the all-red form of this last), _Village Maid_,
and _Tuscany_.

[Illustration: CLIMBING DAMASK.

MRS. O. G. ORPEN.]

THE DAMASK ROSE, _R. Damascena_.

This rose was brought from Syria to Europe at the time of the Crusades.
The true _York and Lancaster_ is the best example of the old Damask
rose, and grows into a vigorous bush when well established. _Madame
Hardy_, a cross with the Cabbage rose, is an excellent pure white
variety; and in the last few years some new and admirable Damask roses,
_Lady Curzon_, _Lady Sarah Wilson_, _Lady White_, and the _Single
Crimson Damask_, have been raised by Mr. Turner; while Mr. Orpen, of
Colchester, introduced the beautiful pink climber, _Mrs. O. G. Orpen_,
in 1906.

ROSA ALBA,

the white rose of central Europe, introduced into England about 1597, is
now too often only to be seen in cottagers' gardens. But surely a corner
may be found for the _Maiden's Blush_, for the fine old _Blanche
Belgique_, or for _Celestial_--the roses that used to be seen in our
childhood with a sprig of Southernwood in every village boy's buttonhole
on Sunday.

AUSTRIAN BRIAR ROSES, _R. lutea_.

[Illustration: AUSTRIAN BRIAR.

AUSTRIAN COPPER.]

These are among the most brilliant of our early summer roses, and are
distinguished also by their singular and aromatic scent. But their
flowering season is as short as it is vivid.

The single Austrian Briars, mentioned by John Gerard in 1596, both the
Yellow, and the Copper known in France as _Capucine_, should be found,
if possible, in