horticulture: 



November 18, 1905 



British Horticulture 



A FILLIP FOR THE FLORISTS. 



After experiencing a period of slackness, the florists 

 have lately had a busy time. The celebration of the 

 Nelson centenary and the funeral of Sir Henry Irving, 

 coming in the same week, considerably taxed tlie re- 

 sources of the leading London florists. In recent years 

 there has been a tendency to dispense with flowers at 

 the funerals of public men, but fortunately for the 

 trade this was not the case at the interment of the illus- 

 trious head of the British stage. A wealth of floral 

 tributes from all classes— from Queen Alexandra to 

 some humble cabmen— filled one side of the south tran- 

 sept of Westminster Al:)bcy. The total value of the 

 wreaths was estimated at £5000, some valuable one.-? 

 being contributed by the great actor's American admir- 

 ers. For the Nelson celebration a large number of 

 wreaths were placed at the base of the gaily bedecked 

 column in Trafalgar Square. Amongs these was a mas- 

 sive circlet of British oak leaves, with the word "Nelson" 

 outlined in white roses, this being the work of Mr. P. H. 

 Garcia, one of the oldest florists at Covent Garden. 

 From Devonshire came a fragrant wreath of white 

 roses, with the initial "N" worked in violets. Chrysan- 

 themums in various designs were also conspicuous. The 

 florists^ at Covent Garden have not been so busy for 

 some time. The early and severe frosts which have set 

 in this month have pLiyed sad havoc with out-door 

 flowers, and the rigorous change came somewhat unex- 

 pectedly. It has had the advantage of checking the 

 huge supplies which were glutting the market. The 

 bareness of the private gardens also necessitates more 

 orders being placed with tlie florists. 



ENLARGING THE FLOWER GARDENS. 



The fact that another addition is being made to 

 Covent Garden flower market is an indication that the 

 trade in the Metropolis is on the increase. Prices, how- 

 ever, in recent times have not been so satisfactory as 

 they might be. There is no doubt that greater atten- 

 tion is being given to the use of flowers for decorative 

 purposes at social functions, although our street deco- 

 rations at national festivals in most cases stick closely 

 to the garish and flimsy paper imitations. The flower 

 trade on the wholesale side has enormously extended 

 in recent years. A few months ago a large and impos- 

 ing building at Covent Garden was opened for the for- 

 eign flower trade, this reaching extensive proportions in 

 the winter .season. This new hall is to be utilized 

 shortly for a show of market chrysanthemums. The 

 latest addition to the other flower market has necessi- 

 tated the pulling down of .several shops in Eussell St. 

 and Wellington St. adjoining the office of the "'G;ir- 

 dcners' Chronicle." When completed the extension will 

 afford the additional stand accommodations which is 

 required to relieve the congestion existing in busy sea- 

 sou.';. Although the wholesale trade lias progressed, the 

 retailer? in the Cenfral Avomio liave in late years found 



a arcat (litVcrence. Thirty or forty years ago the arcade 

 where the higli-class florists are situated used to be 

 daily visited by rich customers, who came to the market 

 to select their cut bloom. The increase of tratfic in the 

 market, rendering it a matter of risk to take private 

 carriages amongst the lumbering wagons, and the fact 

 that florists' shops have sprung up close to the doors of 

 the wealthy people have eclipsed the Central Avenue's 

 former glory. Still there are .several good class florists 

 in that part of the market and here many apprentices 

 are trained in the art of floral decoration. 



TUIO Cfl.T OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



A new movement ha.s gained a footing for demo- 

 cratising the chrysanthemum. Through the enterprise 

 of a Tondon evening paper a Chrysanthemum League 

 has been established amongst the children in the Me- 

 tropolis. Early in the year the proprietors gratuitously 

 distributed 7,000 plants of the autumn flower amongst 

 the London children, these being supplied by Messrs. 

 Cragg, Harrison and Cragg, Heston. A show of the 

 blooms which had been produced by the youthful gar- 

 deners proved immensely popular. It was attended by 

 2.1,000 persons, the biggest crowd which has ever filled 

 the Royal Horticultural Hall, whilst at least 10,000 

 people were unable to obtain admission. Several of the 

 leading trade growers added to the attractiveness of the 

 exhibition by sending displays of cut bloom and pot 

 plants. It is generally recognized that this encourage- 

 ment of a love of flowers amongst the rising generation 

 is an admirable step. There is no doubt that the chrys- 

 anthemum is continuing to grow in favor with the Brit- 

 ish public, and now that there is an alliance l>etween 

 this country and Japan, the popular flower of the East 

 will undoubtedly gain in admirers. The National 

 Chrysanthemum Societies have done a great deal in 

 this direction. The societies are holding their second 

 show of the .season at the Crystal Palace on Nov. 1 and 

 2. This is usually tiie most important of the three fix- 

 tures, as it takes place when a large number of varieties 

 are available. The various trade growers will be well 

 represented, and there will be no dearth of novelties. 

 Chrysanthemum growers have a big choice in being able 

 to receive tlie pick of (lie continental and Australian in- 

 troductions as well a> (hose raised at home. The diSi- 

 culty is that tlio Irad.' catalogues are becoming surfeited 

 witli varirtics in smli a way that tlie purchaser is puz- 

 zled ill makiiiu a -rlcct i.m. o\vins>- lo tlie profusion. 



I'OTATO POINTS. 



The ila\s of sensational prices for new seedling ]iota- 

 loes are o\ci-- the "liooni" had a short and lively ca- 

 i-eei-. There i< still, however, a keen interest taken in 

 the niei-ils of ilie ni'w \arieties which are to take the 

 place of I lie \\.)rn out sorts. The National Potato So- 

 ciety is woikini^ 111 tlie interests of the humble tuber, in 

 wluise honor an exiiiliition is to he held next month at 

 the Itoval ir<irtienltnral Ifall. This week Mr. Walter 



