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Expert Opinions: Attar of Roses The

Attar of Roses The reader will notice on another page a short account of a visit made to that most beautiful rose-garden south of Paris, the Roseraie de L'Hay. Many chapters might be written of this little paradise about which clusters so much of interest to a rose-lover. But there is in that wonderful garden a quaint thatched "summer-house," as we in America might call it, rose-embowered. On the occasion of the author's visit, there was at work in the little cottage a white-aproned chemist with large-sized retort, test-tubes, spirit-lamps, and other appliances. The rose-petals which had been gathered in the garden were being reduced to essence or attar of roses. M. Gravereaux has improved the method of extracting the oils, and, furthermore, has proved by extensive experiments that certain perpetual-flowering roses, like Mme. Caroline Testout, and others, are capable of producing a much larger amount of the essence than the Damask and Centifolia roses heretofore largely used.

The method employed by M. Gravereaux is superior to that of the Bulgarians, Persians, and Algerians, whose apparatus is most primitive, as the following will indicate: The rose-petals must be distilled as they are picked, otherwise much of their odor will be lost. They are brought right to the stills, which are made of copper, and there mixed with only water, the quality of which is said considerably to influence the essence distilled. After having twice boiled down the mixture to one-eighth or one-tenth its original volume, it is allowed to cool, and is set in open bowls at a constant temperature. Gradually the essence rises and swims on the surface in yellowish patches, which are skimmed off with a mother-of-pearl spoon. This operation, usually falling upon BRIDESMAID is most appropriately named, suggestive of what is best among the prettiest pink Tea Roses the eldest member of the family, is carried out with a solemnity befitting its importance. What this must mean to the peasants is better understood when we realize how feather-light rose-petals are, and that 150 pounds (2,400 ounces) of them ordinarily yield less than one ounce of the essence of the rose.

It is not to be marveled at, therefore, that it is expensive, not alone for the above reason, but also because of its importance in the fabrication of the finest perfumes. It has, furthermore, the valuable quality of increasing and fixing other perfumes, just as the rose itself has the quality of developing in those who work with it qualities of fine moral character.

Hybridizing This book attempts in no way to cover the subject of hybridizing, save to refer to some sources of information regarding a work that calls for long-sustained attention, and almost limitless patience, with no assurance as to results. Amateurs, as well as professional rose-growers, have made valuable contributions to our lists of roses, and certainly the future must offer more adequate recompense to the successful breeder of roses than has been the case in the past. Rev. Joseph H. Pemberton*, for the beginner, gives directions that appear to be easily followed by one who has the time and facilities to undertake the work.