Mme. Hardy. Damask. (1832.) We repeat our statement in last year’s 
catalogue—‘the finest of its Damask type,” with the added emphasis and enthusiasm 
of another season’s experience. There is something so jewel-like, so exquisitely per- 
fect in the arrangement of its many pure white petals, it might well serve as a model 
for Tiffany. Nature, thinking better of its almost austere creation, has added a 
touch of palest pink in the center. Just another over-enthusiasm of ours, you say? 
Well, here are the words of Bobbink & Atkins, who should know, ‘We consider it the 
most beautiful and fragrant of the white old fashioned Roses.” 1.50 
Mme Jules Bouche. H. Tea. (1911.) Only its date places Madame with the 
older roses, as her characteristics are more modern than old, except that time has 
proved her virtues. Porcelain white is her color, says the National Rose Society, 
but as the double flower first opens there is an attractive pink tint to the center. 
Tall, vigorous, persistent and profuse bloom in both bush and climber. Preferred 
by many experts as the finest White Rose. 
Bush and climbing types available. 1.25 
Mrs. Anthony Waterer. H. Rugosa. (1898.) We have viewed this 
beautiful and unusual rose under many conditions, here and elsewhere, and consider 
it one of the most interesting, in our collection. Plants are strong growers, the 
handsome ribbed foliage most attractive except in the late season, and its deep crim- 
son almost purple blooms are unlike any other rose we know. Intensely fragrant, 
profuse and constant flowering. 1.50 
Mrs. John Laing. H. Perpetual. (1887.) A fine old hybrid perpetual, 
with sturdy habits and all-season bloom. Most superlatives can be challenged and 
too many are used in all rose catalogues, we agree. But here we go off the deep end, 
regardless—Mrs. John Laing, satiny, delicate, silver-pink, sweetly scented,—a rare 
beauty too illusive to catch in words, was, to us, the finest rose in the Lester display 
gardens this spring. 
Supply still limited for 1948. 1.50 
Musk Rose. R. Moschata. This is the wild brier rose of the Himalayas, of 
enormous vigour, its great canes, frequently growing to unbelievable lengths in a 
single season. For us it thrives and blooms profusely, in sun, and almost full shade, 
but nothing can stop its lust for living. Certainly not a rose to be confined in a 
tiny city lot but wherever it can fountain in great canes, or ride a fence or cover 
some unsightly spot, the Musk Rose is unexcelled. The magnificent corymbs of 
two inch, five petalled, white flowers, through a long spring season, inspire more 
“ahs and oohs” than anything in the display gardens. And any who know not the 
strange illusive scent of the Musk Rose, have something rare in store for them. 1.75 
Old Blush. China. (1796.) Inspiration for the poet Moore’s immortal 
poem, “The Last Rose of Summer.” We call immediately on Mrs. Keays—whose 
description is not only charmingly written, but is a fair and accurate judgment— 
“Rising from the base in strong, upright stalks, each stalk branching into side 
shoots, with clusters of bloom at the ends and side shoots, Old Blush China is a 
rose to reckon with, for no other rose, old or modern, unless it be Old Blush’s 
child, the early type Noisette, blooms in more abandoned freedom, taking only a 
short rest between bursts of bloom. Each rose in the cluster is a fluttering loose 
assemblage of pink petals, deeper in the outer petals, whiter at the base, varying in 
depth of pinkness. Not fully double, with large petals, fine and lasting, the impres- 
sion is one of airiness and gaiety ... Old Blush is a rose to visit often, for being 
of a true everblooming habit it goes on its gay way all summer and until cut by 
frost. The fragrance has a sweetness dashed with a sort of acid or astringent counter- 
scent, very different from other sweet scents, not strong but stimulating and refresh- 
ing—difficult to convey in words.” 1.50 
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