Few soils would seem to come amiss to the Acacias, but observations made in many parts of the country conclusively prove that the finest specimens are growing on light, rich loam overlying a bed of gravel.  They are propagated from seed, by layers, or by grafting.

ROSA.

ROSA ALBA.—­This is a supposed garden hybrid between R. canina and R. gallica (1597).  It has very glaucous foliage, and large flowers, which vary according to the variety from pure white to rose.

R. REPENS (syn R. arvensis).—­Field Rose.  Europe (Britain).  This species bears white flowers that are produced in threes or fours, rarely solitary.  The whole plant is usually of weak and straggling growth, with shining leaves.

R. BRACTEATA (Macartney Rose), R. PALUSTRIS (Marsh Rose), and R. MICROPHYLLA (small-leaved Rose), belong to that section supplied with floral leaves or bracts, and shaggy fruit.  They are of compact growth, with neat, shining leaves, the flowers of the first-mentioned being rose or carmine, and those of the other two pure white.

R. CANINA.—­Dog Rose.  Our native Roses have now been reduced to five species, of which the present is one of the number.  It is a straggling shrub, 6 feet or 8 feet high, and armed with curved spines.  Flowers sweet-scented, pink or white, and solitary, or in twos or threes at the branch tips.

R. CENTIFOLIA.—­Hundred-leaved, or Cabbage Rose.  Orient, 1596.  A beautiful, sweetly-scented species, growing to 6 feet in height, and having leaves that are composed of from three to five broadly ovate, toothed leaflets.  The flowers are solitary, or two or three together, drooping, and of a rosy hue, but differing in tint to a considerable extent.  This species has varied very much, principally through the influences of culture and crossing, the three principal and marked variations being size, colour, and clothing of the calyx tube.  There are the common Provence Roses, the miniature Provence or Pompon Roses, and the Moss Rose—­all of which are merely races of R. centifolia.

R. DAMASCENA.—­Damask Rose.  Orient, 1573.  A bushy shrub varying from 2 feet to 8 feet in height according to cultural treatment and age.  The flowers are white or red, large, borne in corymbose clusters, and produced in great profusion during June and July.  The varieties that have arisen under cultivation by seminal variation, hybridisation, or otherwise are exceedingly numerous.  Those now grown are mostly double, and a large proportion of them are light in colour.  They include the quatre saisons and the true York and Lancaster.  The flowers are highly fragrant, and, like those of R. centifolia and other species, are used indiscriminately for the purpose of making rose water.  The species is distinguished from R. centifolia by its larger prickles, elongated fruit, and long, reflexed sepals.

R. FEROX.—­North Asia.  This species bears flowers in clusters of two and three together, terminating the branches.  The petals are white with a yellow base.  The branches are erect, and thickly crowded with prickles of unequal size.