No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 455 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FLORICULTURE. 



By Edwin Lonsdale, Chairman. 



Mr. Chairman and Members of the Pennsylvania Board of Agricul- 

 ture — Gentlemen : It is my pleasant duty to report to you that flori- 

 culture in all its branches is in a very satisfactory condition. The 

 demand for what are known as hardy herbaceous plants is still on 

 the increase, so much so that, notwithstanding the fact that the 

 area devoted to the propagation and growing of this interesting 

 class of hardy plants has been largely increased, the supply has, in 

 many instances, not been equal to the demand. 



Among hardy roses, the climbing Crimson Rambler is still in the 

 lead. Its crimson blossoms in the latter part of May and in early 

 June brighten many a home from one end of this country to the 

 other. It is perhaps the most universally popular rose in the whole 

 list. In addition to its being quite hardy in all parts of America, it 

 also lends itself to forcing purposes, so that it may be had in 

 bloom for Easter, as it is one of the most popular flowering plants 

 for that floral festival. And novv^ we have a very welcome addition 

 to this class of hardy rose, namely, what is designated the dwarf 

 or baby ever-blooming Crimson Rambler, a French rose, known as 

 Madame Norbert Levavasseur. Plants of this new variety that I 

 have had under my care have given most satisfactory results. Small 

 plants were received in August last, which soon commenced to 

 grow with vigor and flower in profusion. On October 23d, every 

 bloom and bud was removed, and the first week in December it was 

 again in full bloom, and it has been in bloom ever since (this treat- 

 ment was under glass, of course), showing that it may be had in 

 full bloom for Christmas — something unusual to have flowering 

 plants of roses in bloom at that season of the year. It is also quite 

 hardy, living out doors all winter with little or no protection. 



Another rose of a different type to the last named is Killarney, 

 an Irish-raised rose. This was sent out some years ago as a forcing 

 rose for cut flowers in winter, but was discarded by some florists, 

 myself among the number, because it lacked what is technically 

 known as substance, that is to say, the petals seemed flimsy. It is 

 ideal in the shape of the bud, being long and pointed, and it is a 

 pleasing shade of pink in color. While, as stated above, it was dis- 

 carded by some florists, it was held on to by others, and is now quite 

 popular in some cities for winter, showing that we must not be too 

 hasty in discarding novelties. But it is as a hardy outdoor rose 

 that it is making its mark, as it is pronounced by some leading 

 amateur rose growers in Eastern Pennsylvania to be the best out- 

 door rose extant, at least for the vicinity of Philadelphia. It some- 

 times happens that a new plant that is disappointing when first 

 tried turns out to be of exceptional merit later on. 



It is reported there were more flowering bulbs, as tulips and hya- 



30—7—1904 



