56 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Flowers kept in the cellar over night should always have their stems 

 cut afresh and the water refreshed if it is desired to hold them longer. 

 The temperature of cellar or ice chest should be 45 to 50 degrees Fahr. 

 all the year around. 



Too much care cannot be used in packing flowers, whether the distance 

 be one mile or one hundred. The damage comes not from the jar of 

 wagon or cars, but the blooms bruise each other. Wax or manila tissue 

 paper or cotton cloth should be placed between the layers. 



Always have a cushion of paper or air space at the head of the box. 

 when packing, because a- very slight jar in a forward direction is sure 

 to bruise them badly. 



I do not believe the greenhouse employees receive enough instruction 

 on the handling of cut flowers, as they are almost invariably rough with 

 them. The blooms can be handled rapidly and gently. I personally 

 have seen a number of expert rose growers who treated the flowers, 

 after they were cut, in a most shameful manner, such as squeezing long 

 and short together, or laying them down hard, almost dropping them, 

 on the table. This probably is mere thoughtlessness. It takes no more 

 time to handle them properly. 



I believe that as many of the flowers as will permit should be broken 

 off, instead of cut with a knife, because more of the pore surface is 

 brought in direct contact with the water in this mianner. This applies 

 particularly to chrysanthemums, lilacs, heavy-stemmed roses, and others 

 having heavy stems. 



On receipt of stock at store, same should always be gone over, the 

 stems freshly clipped, bruised petals and deformed foliage removed. If 

 they have been shipped from a distance, they should not be used until 

 tney have been chilled a second time. 



In these days of fancy carnations, we are troubled at times with 

 many split calyxes. This can be remedied, if carefully done, with a 

 needle and thread, or with stemming wire, sewing the parted calyx 

 together. 



Too many flowers are usually placed in one vase. Put them in several 

 vases, the flowers v/on't wilt, as otherwise, the foliage is not destroyed, 

 and you have apparently a larger stock and an infinitely more artistic 

 display for your customers' inspection. 



As to preservatives, many have suggested the use of some patented 

 stuff, chloride of sodium, bicarbonate of soda, and even a rank poison, 

 nux vomica, but I believe nature intended cool, clear water, and plenty 

 of it, as the preservative par excellence of cut flowers. 



Flowers grown in a greenhouse should never be offered for sale until 

 they have stood in water and kept in cellar or ice chest at temperature 

 of 50° for at least twelve hours, and twenty-four is better. This allows 

 the stems to become fllled with water, for the pith acts much as a sponge. 

 Then, and not until then, will the cut flowers keep and be satisfactory 

 to the buyer. 



Fresh air is as important as fresh water. For instance, at this time, 



