STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 149 



In short, if you do n't like flowers don't try to cultivate thera 

 because other people do, but if the care of them is a pleasure to you, 

 do <i^row them, and such varieties as your own taste dictates, even if 

 some prim neighbor is astonished at " your taste." 



FLORICULTURE. 



Mr. President and Members: 



Being called upon for an article on Floriculture, I would say 

 that the field is a pretty large one and I find it constantly changing. 

 A few years ago the demand was mostly, if not entirely, for plants. 

 and most fiorists carried a general assortment of them, and pub- 

 lished catalogues that were circulated all over the country with good 

 results. Latterly the demand has fallen off and but few retail cata- 

 logues are now sent out, and I find the same state of affairs exists 

 East as well as West. One reason of this, I think, is the general 

 knowledge in regard to propagating the commoner class of plants, 

 geraniums, fuchias, etc., and the general use of base-burning stoves 

 and heaters will insure a steady genial atmosphere through the cold- 

 est weather. 



Now the demand is for cut flowers mostly, and we have to 

 adapt our greenhouses to the growth and blooming of monthly roses, 

 mostly teas, also carnations, bouvardias, heliotropes, violets, camel- 

 lias, primulas, lilies, etc., with a growing demand. Prices at times 

 rule low and there is some waste, but generally a market can be 

 found for them in Chicago and other large cities. The outlook is 

 fairly prosperous, as the wealthy and refined people all patronize the 

 florist, and I think you will agree with me in saying that for 

 funerals, weddings, or as a present to a sick friend, there is nothing 

 more ap])ro])riate, or a truer indication of refinement and culture, 

 than the use of fragrant, beautiful flowers. All honor to our Amer- 

 ican people in this direction, as I know of no country where the 

 practice is more universal or more generally followed. 



In regard to ])laiits. T think great im])rovement can l)e made in 

 growing them Ijy the use of tile sash, and L look forward to the time 

 when the building of the better class of houses will include at least 

 a bay window on the south or east side. This would enable ladies, 

 and even cliildren. to cnltivate and enjoy growing, and even l)lo()m- 

 ing, plants all winter. This would prove a very pleasant and enjoy- 

 able feature in every home, and tend not a little to the love of home 

 and horticultural pursuits in our rigorous winter climate. 



Another change T would notice is in the propagation of roses. 

 Many people now prefer Ijudded roses, as it is almost impossible to 

 have strong, vigorous plants of the finer class in any other way, as 

 the bud l)looms are almost always slender growers, and have not con- 



