I enclose you herewith an article translated from the French, as published in the Journal des Roses for May, just at hand, in which the writer, a German florist, claims that our celebrated American Beauty Rose is identical with the old French variety Mad. Ferdinand J amain.

While such a denoument would not be very acceptable to our American florists, who have taken great pride in our celebrated Beauty as an American production, still it may be well to admit, in the way of preparing ourselves for such a conclusion if necessary, that prominent florists in Washington who are thoroughly conversant with the circumstances of its reputed origin there, have, ever since its introduction, had very grave doubts as to its being an American seedling, and in conversation with one of them recently, he so expressed himself to the writer in very decided terms.

Ellwanger describes Madam Ferdinand Jamain as a hybrid remontant of moderate growth, raised by Ledechaux in 1875, deep rose, cupped form, highly scented.

This corresponds closely to American Beauty, except, perhaps, as to the growth; and in the open air it really is only of moderate growth, certainly no stronger than Hippolyte Jamain, Victor Verdier and others, also described by Ellwanger as of moderate growth.

The discovery of its excellent forcing qualities, was undoubtedly the principal cause of its rapid introduction in this country, as, aside from its superb fragrance, it is not, to many people, an attractive rose. Some thoughts brought out by the foregoing are: Have we not already many roses with excellent qualities, slumbering among the ranks of the discarded? Would it not be profitable to expend a portion of the time and energy now so freely given to the production of new varieties, towards investigating the merits of some of the old? The article from Journal des Roses is as follows: