HISTORY OF THE ROSE.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 23 June 1919, Page 3

HISTORY OF THE ROSE.

’ PAPER BY MR H. WITCHELL.

The first of a series of studies and talks on horticultural subjects, under the auspices of tho two local horticultural societies, was held at the Otaki Reading-room on Friday night last, when thero was only a small attendance of less than twenty persons—a fact much to be regretted.

Mr Byron Brown, wlio occupied the chair, said it had been decided to hold these gatherings from time to time to advance floriculture. It was a capital idea, and should be encouraged. Seeing that the district was famous for its flowers, it was only fitting that rcsidens should learn all they could on the subject of floriculture, and use their knowledge in the beautifying of their homes and the town. Mr Brown then called on Mr H. Witchell to read a paper on “Hose History.” Mr Witcheil Tead a most interesting, instructive and carefully - prepared paper, which was listened to most attentively. He referred to the fact that the rose was the recognised national flower, and had been held in the highest place among flowers from time immemorial. He quoted from writings to show that so far back as COO B.C. the rose was referred to as the queen of flowers, and he made reference to various allusions to tho rose by the ancients of different countries. The rose was a native of most of the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, but had not been found growing wild anywhere south of the equator. Mr Witchell went oh t« give particulars of the development of the rose from its early form to its present magnificent type of beauty and fragrance, and tonehed on the different innovations by rose growers. The first book on roses was published in 1551. In the year 1815 there was a collection of some 250 varieties of roses growing in a famous garden at. Malmaison, in Branco —a garden that had been preserved right up to the present tune. Daring the past century—and the last twenty or thirty years in particular the varieties of roses had increased enormously, until at the present time there must be some thirteen or fourteen thousand varieties in existence. Hybridisation had been commenced early in the nineteenth century, which had been responsible for wonderful improvement in roses. Although hybrid perpetuals were first raised in 1525, it was not till the year 1567 that the favourite class of roses known as hybrid teas was introduced, the first of these being La France., So popular had this class become that it had completely eclipsed the hybrid perpetuals, which were fast going out of favour. Mr Witchell dwelt briefly on the more recent developments in the rose world, referring to the many classes of roses introduced, and mentioning the names of a few of the most prominent in each section. The paper was full of interesting matter, and gave a fund of information to the listeners.

At the close of the paper, it was discussed informally, several of those present taking part in the discussion, after which a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Witchell for the great amount of time and trouble ho had spent in the preparation of such a comprehensive paper. An interesting gathering closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.