To THe ‘“‘Littie Rose Lisrary,’’ Our GraTEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
CBy ODay of ©Fntroduction 
IN MEMORIAM .. . Our older customers will remember catalog 1947 
in which we printed as our introduction, some comments on rose catalog-. 
writing by Dr. John G. Gage, Arcadia, California, who died December, 
1950. [he personal tone of the catalog which follows, its efforts to describe 
roses honestly, its recognition herezn of our worthy competitors, first were 
inspired by him. He possessed phenomenal courage under great physical 
suffering ,—a perfectionist im his rose hobby, keen critic and staunch freend. 
We miss you, Doctor Gage, as once again a new catalog is started, and 
our eyes ave moist. Farewell! 
Let it be admitted forthwith, all quips, quirks, effusions, omis- 
sions and errors within, are the sole responsibility of Will Tillot- 
son. Mrs. Lester looks with considerable doubt and some alarm 
on the “‘literary antics’’ of the catalog-writer. 
This is such a personal business, you might like to meet us. 
Marjorie Winifred Lester, widow of the late Francis E. Lester, 
well-known authority on old roses. Dainty . . . chiselled . . . fifty- 
ish, ‘‘British to the bone.’’ Greets the garden visitors, keeps a 
watchful eye on the packing operations (and her partner), supplies 
the Lester tradition. 
