the blooms are ‘good to the last drop’, or are unpleasant to look at the 
second day. But Great Scott! There are so many things which should 
be said that I doubt if it is possible to avoid writing a book instead of 
a catalogue. 
There are a lot of us who want nice roses and seriously try to grow 
them. And it is to this group the catalogue you have in mind will 
appeal. We have guessed and gambled and feel that we have been 
fooled and hornswoggled by the catalogues which describe roses as 
they usually ‘aint.’ A catalogue which tells all, both good and the bad, 
will be most welcome.” 
And so for you, Dr. Gage, and for you, gentle reader, we will do 
our best to describe our roses as we have viewed them here and else- 
where, telling “‘all.” 
This simple catalogue is written chiefly for the experienced rose- 
enthusiast, not that it claims any special rose wisdom, but because it 
lists many old and unusual varieties seldom found in catalogues of 
today. When available, we have used the mellow words of those wiser 
than we, who loved these old roses and described them well. 
To you, the old customers, who knew the late Francis E. Lester, 
and supported his efforts to preserve the Roses of Yesterday, a special 
word of greeting and appreciation. 
s5ester QRose @Gardens 
Marjorie W. LesTER — WILL TILLOTSON 
ae 
“Enter then the Rose-garden when the first sunshine sparkles in the 
dew, and enjoy with thankful happiness one of the loveliest scenes of 
earth. What a diversity, and yet what a harmony of colour! There 
are White Roses, Striped Roses, Blush Roses, Pink Roses, Rose Roses, 
Carmine Roses, Crimson Roses, Scarlet Roses, Vermilion Roses, 
Maroon Roses, Purple Roses, Roses almost Black, and Roses of 
a glowing Gold! What a diversity, and yet what a harmony of out- 
line! Dwarf Roses and Climbing Roses, Roses closely carpeting the 
ground, Roses that droop in snowy foam like fountains, and Roses 
that stretch out their branches upwards as though they would kiss 
the sun; Roses ‘in shape no bigger than an agate stone on the fore- 
finger of an alderman,’ and Roses five inches across; Roses in clusters, 
and Roses blooming singly; Roses in bud, in their glory, decline and 
fall. And yet all these glowing tints not only combine, but educe and 
enhance each the other’s beauty! All these variations of individual 
form and general outline blend with a mutual grace. And over all this 
perfect unity, what a freshness, fragrance, purity, splendour!” 
—A Boox AsouTt RosEs—DEAN HOLE, 1865 
67 
