2§4 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Oft. Doc. 



The city florists never did a more profitable business tlian was 

 done during the period referred to, and the growers of cut flowers 

 who malve a specialty of that industry never added so much to the 

 area for the growing of flowers in any one year than was done last 

 summer, and the superstructure on which the glass is laid was never 

 so nearly solid as at the present time; the very best materials obtain- 

 able are used, and as much iron and steel as it is practicable to be 

 put into such buildings are made use of. Cement, now-a-days, is ir 

 great favor both for the walls on the outside and the tables or re- 

 taining walls on the inside, all of which are healthy signs of the con- 

 fidence of those who are directly interested in the still greater de- 

 velopments that are hoped for and expected in the future for flori- 

 culture. The backward spring of 1907 interfered somewhat with 

 the demand for plants used for outdoor decorations. This applies 

 to what are known as tender or bedding plants such as Geraniums, 

 botanically known as Zonale Pe]argouium.s, Verbenas, Coleus, Cro- 

 tons, Cannas and similar plants that need indoor protection in the 

 winter time; but though the season was later than usual, there was 

 little or no surplus stock left over. The demand for the hardy her- 

 baceous plants continues to increase; these live out all winter, and 

 in favorable locations increase in size and general effectiveness 

 yearly. This class includes Peonies, Phlox, Columbines, Irises, and 

 so forth. 



All classes of roses are constantly increasing in demand. The 

 Kambler varieties are increasing in number, of which the Crimson 

 Rambler was the first to attract universal attention. Westgrove, 

 Chester County, this State, is noted for the number and quality of 

 rose plants sent out from there, and these go to all parts of the 

 world. There are over one thousand varieties grown there, and it 

 is further claimed that overoneraillionplantsof therosearegrownaud 

 sold annually from this great centre of the rose growing industry. 

 The raising of new varieties of the rose from seed still goes merrily 

 on. At the last meeting of the Florists' Club of Philadelphia, held 

 two weeks ago, there were some very promising new varieties on 

 exhibition. Among them was "Aurora," a Pennsylvania seedling, 

 raised at Leighton, and is the result of a cross between two French 

 roses, namely, Souviner du President Carnot and Bon Silene. Un- 

 fortunately, there already is a variety called Aurora, so in order to 

 avoid confusion, the matter should be referred to the nomenclature 

 committee of the Society of American Florists, with the object in 

 view of changing the name. I would suggest the name "Bon-Car- 

 not" be substituted. This would solve the problem and be a com- 

 bination of the parents of the rose. The claim is made for those 

 who have watched the development of this new rose that it is an im- 

 provement on a variety that is at the present time quite a favorite, 

 namely, "Madame Abel Chatenay." Aurora, as we will still call 

 it until its name is changed, is well bred. One of its parents — the 

 Bon Silene — was a great favorite from twenty to thirty years ago, 

 and is still grown to some extent and used when "society buds" 

 make their debut, and it is also used for sentimental reasons among 

 those who were the reigning belles in society a quarter of a century 

 ago. Its other parent— President Carnot— is a beautiful, delicate 

 flesh pink in color, and the shape of the buds are all that could be 

 wished. The Aurora is being tested by our expert in growing roses 

 for cut flowers at Hillside, Montgomery County, and great hopes as 

 to its future value are confidently indulged in. 



