francofurtana, and says it is believed to be a spontaneous cross of the Cinnamon rose and Gallica. Here, however, we are brought to a halt on our path, as we find that this Frankfort rose has only five leaflets, with everything else about right. We must look for variations. We go to Redouté's "Les Roses" and find several varieties but nothing conclusive.
     The Frankfort rose never became so important as the four great June-blooming classes, Alba, Gallica, Centifolia, Damascena, but the old French hybridizers played with it and developed some distinct varieties, now probably rarely seen. The longer-than-usual blooming period of our rose and the red coloring in young foliage might mean that we have a Frankfort rose hybridized with a China, of the Hybrid China class.
     It is always interesting to find out whether a rose was sold in this country. Of the several lists available, that of Prince's Linnean Gardens offers the richest field, for at one time Prince's nursery had a very extensive planting of species and garden roses. William Prince, third in line in the business, gives the names of four Frankfort or "Turban" roses, among them Ancelin (listed by William Paul in "The Rose Garden" of 1848, as a hybrid China with positive Frankfort characteristics). Ancelin is described as being "Very large, deep rose, elegant"--perhaps too deep a shade for our rose. One called Aristote is said to be "large, rose, with white border." We must find out more about these Frankfort varieties before another June!
    And so goes on this fascinating search into the roses of bygone times.