STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 131 



Roses and geraniums and primroses need abundant cool moisture tc 

 bloom well; and, indeed, the atmosphere Ix^st suited to their wants 

 will also help the roses to bloom in the cheeks of our children, and 

 will be most conducive to the health, beauty and comfort of our de- 

 voted selves. 



REPORT OX FLORICULTURE. 

 BY FRANCIS J. HEINL. 



The subject assigned to me by your worthy Secretary is a rather 

 difficult one, for the reason that the majority of the members are in- 

 terested in a work far more important — that is orcharding and kin- 

 dred interests. 



I suppose orcharding is considered more important, at any rate 

 fruits lill the pocket and the stomach much sooner than flowers. 

 But then flowers will brighten our lives and teach us to be more at- 

 tentive to nature. 



As the Secretary has not restricted my subject I shall consider 

 floriculture from a florist's standpoint. 



Of late the popular taste and tendency, as regards the " Art 

 Beautiful,'' has been towards specialties. The old-fashioned gardens 

 were filled with all varieties of annuals and perennials of all colors, 

 and presented a bright and varied appearance from earliest spring 

 until latest fall. Now, how changed the gardens; here we see an 

 immense design carefully figured out with coleus; here is a bed of 

 roses, and here a mass of bright geraniums in full glory. 



So with the old style bouquets, which were made to contain 

 everything to be had, in fact were a miniature garden. These old 

 fashioned flowers are not lost; they are not gone forever; but are 

 gradually being reinstated. But how changed they are. The great 

 skill of successful naturalists are applied to them, and they come 

 back to us in improved shapes. Witness the chrysanthemum. 



Now, cultivators have their special friends even among plants. 

 Here is a person whose garden is filled to overflowing with the flow- 

 ers of our field and woods, the gay golden rod, the brilliant cardinal 

 lol)elia, and many others which may be had for the taking. Here 

 among our wild flowers is where we can improve varieties, and right 

 here it seems to me is where the secret of success with plants, etc., 

 lies, in that they are the most easily cultivated, and therefore the 

 cheapest plant, and the real flowers for the people are improved 

 varieties of our native plants, or plants which have run wild. 

 Hollyhocks, roses, lilies, yuccas, pansies, violets, honeysuckles, pinks, 

 ferns, etc., are among the suitable hardy plants, while any of the 

 native plants are good. These plants can be cared for with the 

 smallest amount of care and the greatest amount of flowers and 

 foliage. 



