I. THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE CHRYSANTHE- 

 MUM. 



The chrysanthemum industry in New York State probably involves 

 more capital than the growing of peaches. When the chrysanthemum 

 craze began in America in 1888, there were loud complaints from 

 those florists who thought that there would be no great permanent popu- 

 larity after the first fever was passed. At first the chrysanthemum 

 seriously infringed for six weeks upon the year-round favorites, the 

 rose, carnation and violet, but it must now be considered one of the 

 four staples of greenhouse floriculture. We have more chrysanthe- 

 mums now than ever, but the feverish element is nearly gone. The 

 times of universally excessive prices are forever past, the readjustment 

 to a final acceptance of this new-comer's permanent place is nearly 

 made, and the chrysanthemum has become distinctly a flower of the 

 people. 



What, then, is the permane7it place of the chrysa7ithemtim ? Doubt- 

 less its mission is to fill the dull interval between the middle of 

 October and the last of November. The skilled amateur, it is true, 

 may prolong the season by early flowers out-of-doors and by late ones 

 in the greenhouse, but it is at a cost of time, money and skill that the 

 people cannot give. He may even have large flowers in every month 

 of. the year, at a large price, but the true chrysanthemum niche is a 

 period of about six weeks, and the people would not want chrysanthe- 

 mums the year round even if they could have them. 



The people y thefi, buy the flowers ; they do not raise the plants them- 

 selves. The only possible objection to the Japanese chrysanthemums 

 is that the people of the north cannot cultivate them in their gardens, 

 that is, they cannot produce large, exhibition flowers, or even typical 

 ones, in satisfactory quantities out-of-doors. Until twenty-five years ago 

 this would have been a fatal objection. Never until the developmentof 

 the pecuhar forcing-house industry of America, the commercializing of 

 floriculture on a vast national scale, was it possible for a flower grown 

 almost exclusively by the florists, and under glass, to win its way into 

 the hearts of the masses. It is the greater general use of cut flowers tliat 

 makes American floriculture unique. The popular demand for long- 



