American Rose Annual (1923) p. 183
Why Not Use the Bourbon Blood in Hybridizing?—This is the question raised by J. H. Nicolas, of Indianapolis, Ind., who calls attention to the superb quality of the old Souvenir de la Malmaison and to the fact that it has not been used in breeding. He reports an incidental seedling borne on Souvenir de la Malmaison fertilized by either Seabird or Lemon Queen. This he has named Lucy H. Nicolas. Of it he says, "The foliage and growth habit are the same as Malmaison, and the flower has the same beautiful opalescence but with a marked yellow tinge which is more pronounced in the bud, though remaining lemon-yellow at the base of the petals after two days of torrid sun."

Mr. Nicolas very properly raises the question as to why the hybridizers are neglecting the opportunity to get everblooming quality and opalescence into roses through the use of Souvenir de la Malmaison and other Bourbon roses.