Eglantine Rose from Seed

I have wanted to try growing an eglantine rose for some time, and have a protected spot where it could climb up an old pear tree. Your description of the seeds says "difficult, and special treatment required". Can you tell me what this means, and if advisable for a home gardener to try it. I have been successful with growing the Cape Cod beach roses, by bringing home hips, planting the seeds here in Vermont late fall, and having them germinate in springtime.

Eglantine (Rosa rubiginosa) or Sweet Briar Rose is a beautiful shrub rose, and is worth the time and effort to grow from seed. You can follow a similar treatment for the seeds that you applied to your Cape Cod rose seeds. Or you may follow this procedure, which is a more controlled method, and accomplishes the same requirements: The seeds must be scarified. An effective method is to rub the seeds between two pieces of sandpaper to etch the seed coat. Next, your seeds must be stratified. Therefore, place the seeds in damp peat in a baggy. Keep the baggy at at least room temperature, or warmer. The seeds will imbibe the moisture.
After 2 or 3 weeks, place the baggy in the refrigerator for between 3-4 months. This imitates the winter season, and helps break down germination inhibitors. After this period, then you may sow the seed in a flat with soil less mix, cover lightly with vermiculite or more soil less mix. Place the flat in a sunny warm area. Water gently and wait patiently. Water occasionally, so that the seeds don't dry out completely. You will be rewarded in time with beautiful little rose seedlings.