To preserve these roses, the London perfumers immediately pickle them;
for this purpose, the leaves are separated from the stalks, and to every
bushel of flowers, equal to about six pounds' weight, one pound of
common salt is thoroughly rubbed in. The salt absorbs the water existing
in the petals, and rapidly becomes brine, reducing the whole to a pasty
mass, which is finally stowed away in casks. In this way they will keep
almost any length of time, without the fragrance being seriously
injured. A good rose-water can be prepared by distilling 12 lbs. of
pickled roses, and 2-1/2 gallons of water. "Draw" off two gallons; the
product will be the double-distilled rose-water of the shops. The
rose-water that is imported from the South of France is, however, very
superior in odor to any that can be produced here. As it is a residuary
product of the distillation of roses for procuring the attar, it has a
richness of aroma which appears to be inimitable with English-grown
roses. There are four modifications of essence of rose for the
handkerchief, which are the _ne plus ultra_ of the perfumer's art. They
are,--esprit de rose triple, essence of white of roses, essence of tea
rose, and essence of moss rose. The following are the recipes for their
formation:--

ESPRIT DE ROSE TRIPLE.

Rectified alcohol, 1 gallon.
Otto of rose, 3 oz.

Mix at a summer heat; in the course of a quarter of an hour the whole of
the otto is dissolved, and is then ready for bottling and sale. In the
winter season beautiful crystals of the otto--if it is good--appear
disseminated through the esprit.