DECEMBER 29, 1S9S. 



The Weekly Florists^ Review, 



U3 



C. L. Washburn. O. P. Bassett. 



Messrs. Bassett & Washburn on the veranda of their residence at Hinsdalet 111. 



ly came into the commission houses 

 by the carload, but it was all used up; 

 never was its use so general. How 

 wonderful to think that less than 25 

 years ago not a spray was seen in our 

 northern cities. Some English mistle- 

 toe was here, fine branches, although 

 much the worse for travel. The Ameri- 

 can species will eventually take its 

 place, although not nearly so hand- 

 some; and then again, that was not 

 what the Druids worshipped, nor gives 

 you such privileges among the gentler 

 sex; but it will have to do. Our so- 

 called laurel (Kalmia) was largely 

 used for wreathing. Of the ground 

 pine, perhaps more could have been 

 used; but there was about enough. 



Notes. 



The usual balls and parties are thick 

 around us. but not any of great mag- 

 nitude. The few florists I have seen 

 are well satisfied. Wednesday and the 

 two following days we could deliver 

 plants in an open wagon, and Satur- 

 day and Christmas day were fine and 

 only a little cold. Better weather we 

 could not expect. 



We thank all nationalities for the 

 respective institutions that go to make 

 our Christmas; especially do we thank 

 those enlightened creatures who 

 evolved the Christmas gift from a dry 

 and soulless card to a growing and liv- 

 ing plant or bunch of flowers. 



W. S. 



CLEVELAND. 



A Good Christmas. 



Christmas trade was a record break- 



er; never before was there such a 

 rush for flowers and plants. It is not 

 uncommon for a theatre to close the 

 door when a good show is playing, 

 but whoever before heard of a florist 

 ordering the doors closed before! 

 Such was the order issued by J. M. 

 Gasser Saturday. The store resembled 

 a ticket wagon at a circus and orders 

 by the hundreds on the files. Every 

 florist in town reports business better 

 this Christmas tnan they ever saw it 

 before. 



There were some very handsome 

 windows to be seen this week. Smith 

 & Fetters had the usual Christmas 

 bells and wreaths of immortelles and 

 white doves. Miss Eadie had chrys- 

 anthemums. Mr. Ehrhart arches rep- 

 resenting church windows. Chas. 

 Wagoner a large holly bell. 



J. M. Gasser had the village church 

 belfry, the steeple surmounted with a 

 gilt cross; the belfry had the chimes 

 (3 bells) of red immortelles tied with 

 bows of red ribbon to the axle; the 

 wheel and entire structure was cover- 

 ed with log moss; a pair of moss cur- 

 tains draped the large mirror, tied 

 back with ribbon; the red light in the 

 steeple (concealed) shed its soft glow 

 on the chimes; the large arc light, 

 covered with yellow, shed its soft 

 moon beams on a long vase of poin- 

 settias, vases of valley and orchids. 

 A large moss-covered tree at the other 

 side of window had clusters of cattley- 

 as at the different crotches. Many 

 compliments were received from the 

 other florists and the window attracted 

 thousands of admirers. It was con- 

 ceived and executed by Mr. Oehmler. 



American Beauties and Meteors were 

 very scarce. Carnations gave out, the 

 demand being too great. Good stock 

 brought $1.00 per dozen and fancy 

 $1.50. O. A. C. 0. 



ST. LOUIS. 



The Christmas Trade. 



Christmas trade here was very fine. 

 Stock was not very plentiful and de- 

 mand better than ever before. Our 

 commission men claim they did double 

 the business this year than last with 

 prices about same as usual during 

 these busy times. From reports of 

 nearly all the retail trade this Christ- 

 mas can be classed as most satisfac- 

 tory, stock being sold out clean and at 

 good figures. 



Some growers will certainly have no 

 reason to complain as to prices. Those 

 who indulged in pickling will have a 

 kick coming but they only have them- 

 selves to blame, and as one commis- 

 sion puts it if they kick they will have 

 to kick themselves. 



Prices for good first class stock were 

 high. Best American Beauties, of 

 which there was only a short supply, 

 sold at $18 per dozen; Bridesmaid, 

 Bride, Meteor, La France, Perle. Wott- 

 low and Kaiserin were in great de- 

 mand, and supply good on all except 

 Perle and Meteor; Carnots very scarce. 

 All the above stock brought from $10 

 to $18 per 100; Brides were the most 

 plentiful. 



Carnations were in the greatest de- 

 mand and of fine quality. The very 

 best fancy stock brought $8 while oth- 

 ers sold at from $4 to $6. Flora Hill, 

 Eldorado and Jubilee were classed as 

 fancy stock and Scott, Daybreak, 

 Wocher and Alaska brought the latter 

 price. The carnations grown by 

 Messrs. Aue. Fillmore, Ammann. Her- 

 zog, Emmans and the Udes were the 

 best in the market and all brought 

 good prices. 



Violets were vei'y fine and not over 

 plentiful. Prime Californias sold at 

 $4 and some went as low as $2; good 

 small singles 50 cents and doubles $1.50 

 and $2. 



Bulbous stock was plentiful and of 

 good quality. Romans sold at $3 and 

 $4, Paper Whites $4, valley $4 and $6, 

 callas $15, Harrisii from $15 to $25, 

 but short in supply. Smilax, aspara- 

 gus and adiantum sold well. Smilax 

 brought $15 and $18; adiantum $1.25 

 and asparagus $50. 



All kinds of Christmas greens sold 

 well, being used more this year in 

 decorating down town store fronts 

 than ever before. Notwithstanding 

 the scarcity the streets down town 

 were lined with fakirs selling dirt 

 cheap, still most of the store men sold 

 out clean at good prices. 



The demand for blooming plants, 

 such as cyclamen, poinsettias and 

 azaleas, also house plants such as 

 palms and tern dishes, was lively. 



