FUTURE OF THE ROSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1938, Page 4

FUTURE OF THE ROSE

A GOOD SELECTION. At the International Rose Conference, held recently under the auspices of the British National Rose Society, Mr H. R. Darlington read a paper on the ‘‘Future of the Rose.” In the course of his remarks, he mentioned that in a conversation with the famous French raiser, M. Mailerin, he told him that he was/ hybridising with a view to evolving a crimson rose of good form and sweet perfume, that would not “blue” with age; and a yellow that would definitely retain its colour to the last. When asked how long it would take him to accomplish his aim, he hazarded the opinion it might be 50 years. This will give some idea of the time and skill required in endeavouring to produce the ideal rose. We must not, therefore expect too much from the raisers, but welcome every step forward to the ultimate goal. Mr Darlington gave his considered opinion on the roses introduced during the last decade or since the last rose conference was held in London. Of the reds and crimsons, he found the most outstanding were: Night, the darkest crimson of good form and sweet fragrance; Gerald Hardy, bright scarlet; Crimson Glory; Col Sharman Crawford, a good rose when well grown; M’Credy’s Scarlet, a good garden variety; Christopher Stone, of lovely colour and fine petals, but thin; Southport, a fine colour and good form; W. B. Chaplin, always reliable, but riot much scent; and J. C. Thorton, of good form but scentless. Malar Ros and Centennial he had found rather disappointing.

In the yellows the following were, he thought, most outstanding: M’Credy’s Yellow, Sir Henry Segrave, (a pale shade), Barbara Richards, Canary (bedder only), Golden Dawn (a large rose with fine foliage), Phyllis Gold, and President Chas, Hains (a fine rose for the exhibitor, but “balls in wet weather.”).

Among the pinks the following were, in his opinion, outstanding:—Picture, pre-eminent as a bedder; Lal, a wellformed deep salmon pink; and William Moore, always in good form. Of white, the most worthy of mention were Olive Cook, large and full; Margaret Ann Baxter, of fine form and fragrant; M’Credy’s ivory, a creamy white and good for exhibition; and Swansdown, if well grown. Amongst other roses in various colours that received favourable comment were Mrs Sam M’Credy, Comtesse Vandal, Edith Nellie Perkins, Mme. Joseph Perraud, Luis Brinas, M’Credy’s Triumph, McCredy’s Orange, Mrs Edward Laxton, and Polly (somewhat similar to Ophelia).