114 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



Sweet Pea Society, and the American Gladiolus Society. 

 Each one of these societies is working along a different 

 line, all have the same end in view, namely, the better- 

 ment of the industry or profession. 



Mr. W. J. Stewart, in a recent editorial, says: "The 

 splendid structures which shelter the products of the com- 

 mercial grower of today, as well as those of his wealthy 

 amateur neighbor, represent years of close investigation 

 and study of the myriad problems of the science of light 

 and heat and their practical application to the specific 

 demands of a rapidly advancing business. One of the 

 ibest evidences of the stable character and dignity which 

 '.the floral industry has attained is the enterprise and con- 

 fidence displayed and the capital being invested in green- 

 .house construction. It would seem almost impossible to 

 further improve, but no doubt the next few years will see 

 continued advancement, for there is every reason to be- 

 lieve that the plant, flower, and fruit forcing industry is 

 3et only in its infancy and no business oft'ers fairer in- 

 ducements for the employment of capital and brains." 



The most recent figures show that there are 456 cities 

 with a total acreage of 75,542 devoted to parks in this 

 country with a total valuation of $528,229,000. There 

 .are also over 30 botanical gardens in this country, all hav- 

 ing glass houses for their botanical collections. 



Looking back at the progress that has been made dur- 

 ang the last twenty-five years, and the improvements that 

 have been made even during the last five years, one can 

 only wonder at what the next twenty-five years have in 

 store for us. We have not reached the end and we have 

 reason to expect as much advancement in the future as 

 has occurred in the past. 



Floriculture is becoming a profession based on the ap- 

 plication of scientific knowledge. It is no longer in an 

 experimental state ; it has assumed immense proportions, 

 and is upon a safe basis. Granting then, that flowers 

 are no longer considered lu.xuries, and knowing that 

 America leads in the production of cut flowers and that 

 the number of conservatories in public parks is increasing, 

 the question naturally arises "What are the opportunities 

 for scientifically trained men in floricultural work?" 



These opportunities or openings for trained men may 

 be classed under four distinct headings, namely, com- 

 mercial work, private estate work, park and cemetery 

 work, and instructional and experimental work. Before 

 discussing the individual lines of work let me add that 

 the wonderful development along lines of plant culture 

 in this country are due largely to tlie untiring eft'orts 

 displayed by our European trained men. We owe much 

 to men who received their training at the Kew Gardens 

 imder the old apprentice system. Germany, France and 

 Sweden have also sent us excellent men, and these men 

 display a thoroughness and a knowledge of plants at which 

 the average American gardener marvels. But we have 

 reached a critical stage in the development, the gardeners 

 •of the older schools are becoming fewer, and men trained 

 and acquainted with conditions in this country are in 

 greater demand. 



Let me emphasize the fact that a thorough knowledge 

 of the subjects involved is imperative. This knowledge 

 may be obtained either by working under the direction 

 of a trained man according to the European system, or 

 through the courses now offered by our agricultural col- 

 leges. The latter way seems to have many advantages 

 because the conditions in this country are somewhat dif- 

 ferent, then, too, with the changes in our systems of 

 education along all lines of agriculture, new ideas have 

 been adopted which are proving to be highly successful. 

 Floricultural education as a separate course in the college 

 curriculum is then of comparatively recent origin in 

 America. It is by no means perfect, and it will take years 



to develop a course which will approach the system under 

 which our successful gardener of the present-day received 

 his training. To the son of a commercial florist or the 

 son of a gardener the present system can offer little of 

 value along practical lines. Such a man can get far better 

 practical training on his home place, but it is logical to 

 suppose that to the florist's son who expects to follow 

 his father's profession, the training in floriculture is as 

 valuable as an agricultural training would be for the man 

 who intends to return to the farm. The practical courses 

 are primarily planned for those students who have never 

 worked under glass. These men cannot get too much 

 practical work. The time is coming when every student 

 will be required to spend a year in an up-to-date com- 

 mercial establishment or private place, before he will be 

 graduated from a floricultural course. Even now, we 

 always urge our students to find employment on a com- 

 mercial or private place during the summer months in 

 order to gain practical knowledge. The various courses 

 oft'ered at the Massachusetts Agricultural College at the 

 present time, cover a period of four years. Besides the 

 floricultural subjects of which every florist should have 

 a working knowledge, such subjects which broaden the 

 student and are necessary for a successful career are in- 

 cluded in the course. The lectures are designed to cover 

 the theory, while the laboratory work consists of practical 

 work in the greenhouses and gardens, and is designed to 

 give the student a working knowledge of the best methods 

 now in use. The oljject of the course then is to give in- 

 struction in those branches which best fit men and women 

 for the floricultural work and for life. 



One must keep in mind, however, that in choosing this 

 line of work it means more than just watching and wait- 

 ing developments. To my knowledge there is no line of 

 work where the duties are more exacting, or where the 

 pleasures of development are greater. 



It is a great privilege to any one to work for the com- 

 mon uplift of humanity and there is no greater oppor- 

 tunity, than to encourage on every occasion that may 

 present itself the purpose of interesting some one, child 

 or man, in our flowers, trees and shrubs, or in any of 

 God's great creations. 



"Plant flowers in the Soul's front yard. 

 Set out neii' shade and blossom trees. 

 And let the Soul once frocen hard. 

 Sprout crocuses of neiv ideas." 



THE DYING TREE. 



By W.^lt Mason. 

 Ah ! it is saddening to see a beautiful and stately 

 tree in process of decay ; it took long years to reach 

 its height, and then there fell a deadly Ijlight that ate 

 its heart away. It seems to know it's in the soup, for 

 all its leaves and branches droop, 'tis a despairing 

 thing; and in the zephyr or the gale it seems to moan 

 and sigh and wail, when it should dance and sing. 

 There's nothing nobler than a tree, there's naught that 

 more appeals to me, and, oh ! it makes me hot to think 

 such stately things must die because some derned old 

 worm or fly has given it dry rot. And in our towns 

 a million trees are dying of some punk disease im- 

 parted in that way ; great elms that pleased our pas 

 and mas are crumbling to the ground because such 

 pests we do not slay. A little hustling out of doors 

 might save the threatened sycamores, the locusts and 

 the elms ; so let us gird our loins today and spray our 

 friends, the trees, and slay the worm that overwhelms. 

 If you would sit supinely by and see a splendid shade 

 tree die and never lift a hand, if you would raise no 

 doleful sound when trees are dying all around, you 

 surelv should be canned. 



