The Odds of Making it,
For over 20 years I belonged to the American Rose Society. Every year at least a million new seedlings were grown by the Hybridizers in hopes of developing the perfect rose. Of that 1 million seedlings only about 200 would ever make it to the market. Out of those many were entered in the All American Rose Selections. At that time there were about 18 gardens around the country that received the entries to be evaluated by the Consulting Rosarians over A 2 YEAR PERIOD. At the end of the 2 years they all met in Chicago to vote on the best entries to see if any of them Merited the Coveted Award of AARS Selection. Mostly 5 or less were judged good enough to receive the Award. Some years no awards were given.

And then the public began the process of growing the latest selections. Every 3 years the American Rose Society surveyed the members who gave their evaluations to a large selection of roses where points were given from 10, a perfect score downward. So, to make a long story longer, it is the buying public that will make the final decision on Roses and Songs! And other things as well, no?

Ray E. Strode