Noisette Roses
By MRS. FREDERICK L. KEAYS, Great Neck, L. I., N. Y.

   EDITOR's NOTE.-Continuing her invaluable work, Mrs. Keays here carries on with the far-too-rare Noisette roses. Her studies continue the unique work recorded in her delightful book, "Old Roses," which belongs in every good rose library.

FTER an exchange of letters, a box of blooming sprays of seven roses came in the mail the last week of August. They were from an old garden on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, every one with a family association-aunt, great-aunt, great-grandmother. Even an old fan can become excited on receiving such long stalks of beautiful blooms with foliage un-blemished by black-spot, worm, beetle or aphis. No healthier condition could be imagined.
     Four of the varieties were small-flowered Noisettes, and of these three were total strangers. "Great-grandmother's fragrant," pure white, double, in large clusters, checked in bloom and foliage as Aimée Vibert, and probably is. Aimee Vibert, one of the best-known Noisettes, was raised by the French rose man, J. P. Vibert, and was introduced in 1828. Vibert named it for his daughter, anticipating great popularity for the rose, in which he was truly far-sighted; has long been a favorite.
     The clusters of Aimée Vibert are quite heavy, on long strong stalks; blooms are two to two and a half inches in diameter; fragrance is of musk. Foliage is darker and more shining than usual in Noisettes. Being a continuous bloomer, Aimée Vibert is delightful any month of the rose season, and excellent both in spring and autumn. Being a true Noisette, with no Tea strain, it is hardy. We have had Aimée Vibert from three sources. While it may be a bit difficult to raise from cuttings, we have found own-root plants very satisfactory. Of this rose there are both bush and climbing forms.
     Two pages of good notes came with these roses and were of assistance in an effort to say something about the three unknown varieties. It is with the hope that someone having old Noisettes may be able to take up the story from a digest of these notes and carry us along to a decision as to what varieties they are that we here give the descriptions.

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