FLORIST. 59' 



FALL TERM. 



The weather was very dry all the fall, but by aid of the College water- 

 works we kept the flower beds and lawns in good condition, and had a fine 

 show of flowers until the first frost in September, which was so severe that 

 nearly all the out-door display was killed in a single night. The loss from 

 this frost was not serious, however, for most of the hot-house plants had 

 been taken in. At this season the work consists in taking up all plants that 

 we desire to keep; cleaning off the beds; refilling the beds in the houses 

 with fresh soil, and planting them over with carnations, violets, pansies, 

 mignonettes, etc. ; and in taking up the half hardy roses, the hydrangeas, 

 carnations, wall-flowers, etc., and storing them in the cold pits. The com- 

 post heaps are also turned over, soil stored in the cellar and bulbs planted 

 out-door and in. 



THE GREENHOUSES. 



The greenhouses are a source of interest and pleasure to the many visitors 

 who come to the College. This fall they are looking well. The large con- 

 servatory is full of healthy plants. In the palm-house the palms and ferns 

 are in fine condition. Many of the old plants had become so large as to be 

 unwieldy. These have been discarded and their places filled with vigorous 

 young plants, which are now growing luxuriantly. The begonia house is 

 full of begonias and chrysanthemums. The former do well, and give us an 

 abundance of beautiful bloom the most of the year. The chrysanthemums 

 are now in splendid condition, and give a gorgeous show of color. Many of 

 the new varieties of this superb plant are of unsurpassed beauty. The 

 cactus house is doing first-rate. Fortunately every cactus was brought from 

 out-door the day before the frost. Not one was injured. Every plant is in 

 good condition. This collection is always a source of interest to visitors. 

 The rose house was improved by giving it deeper beds of new soil, and we 

 have now a fine lot of blooms and the promise of a constant supply for the 

 winter. In the smaller houses we have a large collection of carnations, 

 violets, geraniums, heliotropes, pansies, mignonettes, and general bedding 

 plants for winter bloom, and for bedding out in the spring, all of which are 

 healthy and vigorous. 



In all my work I have been ably assisted by Mr. Frank Paine of the last 

 senior class, and by the students assigned to my department, nearly all of 

 whom have pleasure and interest in the work. During a part of the fall 

 term I have had a volunteer class to attend daily lectures by me on 

 floriculture and greenhouse management. 



Respectfully yours, 



LOUIS KNAPPER, 

 tiujj't of the Greenhouse and Flower Garden 



and Instructor in Floriculture. 



