The Weekly Florists' Review^ 



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THE RETAIL 

 -^^^ FLORIST. 



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Flowers for the President's Funeral. 



Some very liandsome ami expensive 

 floral designs were sent tci the funeral 

 of the late President JkKinley. The 

 designs were not as numerous as'was ex- 

 liected and the majority nf tlipiu were 

 made up in Washington. X.i ^luiihl you 

 will all have read in the il;iil\ .ml wii-k- 

 ly papers the glowing di-' 1 1 |ii i,-n- and 

 immensely exaggerated \,iliir- i.i tlir 

 flowers sent. It is amu--inL;l\ -lailliiii: 

 to read and listen to il'i- iiiiliiic.l 

 stories. One Broadway lliii-i iiird id 

 assure us that he had sent -i iiial .^lUII 

 and $150 wreaths to Washington, 

 whilst we knew it to be a faet that he 

 had had no order at all. Queer, isn't it, 

 what some folks will do to try and make 

 themselves appear big. 



We hope those who really had work 

 for this most important event had it 

 photographed. The larj^i-i mmI.i - -immi 

 to have come from forei:jin i - Wiridli, 

 and bunches were the iniiiiiil iini-. 

 and those with eattleyas \m u. naiuiall> 

 the choicest. We had intended uoiuy to 

 Washington to write them up for this 

 department, but important matters 

 called us elsewhere. 



We are inclined to think that the 

 dealers who have so many metal wreaths 

 and prepared cycas leaves on their 

 shelves lost a big opportunity to dispose 

 of this stock; such things are appro- 

 priate for the decorating of buildings. 



The most artistic window in New 

 York was that of the Gorham5|in Broad- 

 way. Folds of black and purple velvet 

 formed a back-ground to a portrait of 

 the dead president; across these were 

 two fine cycas leaves, not tied, but de- 

 tached and properly placed ; the simplic- 

 ity of the whole was most expressively 

 beautiful. The majority of the decora- 

 tions seen were spoiled by the too ap- 

 parent and studied formality. 



Here and there a cheaply made wreath 

 of galax leaves or a few painted cycas 

 leaves were seen in prominent dry goods 

 store windows. The money spent on 

 decorating the buildings in New York 

 city would nearly reach the $200,000 

 mark, about $100 of which was spent 

 among florists. As to the florists them- 

 selves, they were not behind in showing 

 respect, but their work was not of their 

 best, and the material mostly used was 

 very cheap. 



One prominent window is turned into 

 a ribbon counter, as if the florist's only 

 chance to glorify his art was in the use 

 and display of ribbons. Wreaths of 

 galax and leuoothoe leaves are the only 

 designs shown. We have not seen one 

 laurel wreath in connection with the oc- 

 casion. Florists with the reputation of 

 being artistic and up-to-date should 

 know that the most appropriate design 

 for use would have been a wreath of bay 

 leaves. Pity it seems to us that where 

 we have so many bay trees the opportu- 

 nity was not taken to show how some 

 could be used. There is a too ready in- 

 clination to recommend and use mate- 



rial simply because it is cheap. There 

 aie traditions and sentiment, expression 

 and beauty attached to certain flowers 

 and foliage which cannot be blotted out 

 by ignorance, or the craze for cheapness. 

 •and on the occa.sion of national sorrow 

 like the present, florists ought to try 

 aiul jueserve the sentiments which are 

 tlie great pillars of their business. 



This is the time of the year when im- 

 mense quantities of bulbs are finding 

 tlieir way to the potting sheds of the 

 country. Dealers inform us that the 

 craze for cheap grade stock is still as 

 poignant as ever. We would like to say 



is not too good for the American trade. 

 We are not only referring to quality, but 

 to variety also. Give us the best named 

 varieties, never mind the cost. 



Chrysanthemums. 



Chrysanthemums, from present ap- 

 pearances, are going to he late this sea- 

 son. Glory of the Pacific and Merry 

 ilonarch are the two most grown for 

 caily use; these are well in bud now. 

 The craze for early mums is purely 

 imaginary; retailers are not justified in 

 paying exorbitant prices for early 

 Muims, for in most cases they are bought 

 for the window and very seldom can any 

 more be asked for than is paid for them. 

 Uiowers every year get false values on 

 certain stock, through the foolishness of 

 a few retailers. We advocate a fair 

 price all around. Sensationalism sel- 

 dom does good; high prices charged 

 early in the season only deters people 

 from buying later, and acts as an all 

 around boomerang. 



Nasturtiums and Tritomas. 



Nasturtiums are this year being ex- 

 tensively grown by private gardeners. 



Wreath by John Mangel, Chicago, for the President's FuneraL 



to those who grow for cut flowers, get 

 some cheap soi'ts of course, but don't 

 forget in many cases the very best is 

 what you need; spend a little extra for 

 some named varieties of hyacinths, tu- 

 lips, narcissi, etc. Get away from the 

 old rut of common stuff; the people will 

 appreciate and pay for good flowers, and 

 now is the time to select something that 

 will not be the same as the despised glut 

 of the markets. And don't forget, too, 

 that some good Lilium eandidums will 

 be wanted next Easter. We hope to see 

 the large growers offer something better 

 in the way of bulb stock; we wish to 

 assure them the retailer is willing to 

 pay for good stock; the very, very best 



They inform us that they have become 

 very popular among wealth}' people, and 

 that many will be grown under glass for 

 winter use. Very beautiful dainty dee- 

 orations can.- he done with nasturtiums, 

 many of the colors being such as appeal 

 to the aesthetic. Arranged in small 

 vases on forest green or Chippendale 

 furniture their effect is very pleasing. 



Tritoma Pfitzeri (we are not sure 

 that is right) and T. carolinianum have 

 been very prominenty used in New York 

 windows and large decorations this au- 

 tumn. The first named is probably the- 

 best. They are very effective and 

 siiould be more generally cultivated. 

 lliey brought $3 per 100 wholesale here. 



