MRS. L. M. FORD. 41 



to the Mississippi, so we had a pleasant ride to Dunleith, where we 

 took a boat for Saint Paul, and in a few days reached our future 

 home at the Groveland Nursery, which I started in -ISoO, and where 

 we lived until November, 1885. 



My health being- very poor, we concluded to try the climate of Cal- 

 ifornia. We rented our greenhouses and nurserj^ bade adieu to old 

 friends, started on our long journey and in due time landed in 

 southern California. After a years residence at Los Angeles, we 

 came to San Diego, where I again started a nursery, but one quite 

 different from the pioneer establishment of Minnesota. 



Certain floral pets Mrs. Ford selected from our large collection 

 were brought in a basket, which I now keep as a memento of that 

 long journey, but I have lost her plants, so many other things being 

 found here to engage our attention. Many people in this city only 

 knew Mrs. Ford as the lady who had orchids blooming in her win- 

 dows for those passing on the street to admire. They were the first 

 seen in this part of California. One modest little plant with exquis- 

 itely fragrant flowers had not bloomed for a number of years, but 

 opened its delicate petals on the day of her death, August 4th, 1896. 

 Ferns and begonias had become her favorites, some of which she 

 kept and cared for in the house. In Minnesota there were always 

 certain things in the greenhouses called " Mrs. Ford's plants," 

 which she would train for the fairs of St. Paul and Minneapolis or 

 for presents to intimate friends. 



In earlj"- days, the tuberose was introduced by us and soon be- 

 came popular. On the 20th of October, 1860, we attended a wedding- 

 at Dea. Cavender's, in St. Paul, when their daughter was presented 

 with the first bridal bouquet ever seen in all that upper country con- 

 taining such flowers. 



She who no\\r in death reposes. 



And for whom I would have died, 

 Long ago with fragrant roses 



First surprised a blushing bride; 

 Placing them in jeweled hand, 



In the wild Dacota's land. 



■ We had a special invitation to visit one of the Illinois state fairs, 

 w-hich I think was in 1859. Mrs. Ford made a bouquet, which was car- 

 ried first on the boat, then on the cars from Galena to Freeport, when 

 it was put in hot water for some time and remodeled. We were 

 greatly surprised at being awarded a special premium with a good 

 notice by the committees. 



At one of the first coinmencements of the State University, some 

 flowers Mrs. Ford supplied created more of a surprise than anj'- 

 thing seen, owing to a large red bloom of Phyllocactus Ackermanic, 

 placed in the center of the basket. One of the finest things at a big- 

 Minneapolis fair, many years ago, was a specimen of smilax which 

 was just getting in fashion. It was trained in form of across. All 

 the old timers will remember Mrs. Ford and her plants, for she was 

 an attendant with our display at the fairs for matiy years. 



For a long time ours was the only place where choice plants and 

 bouquets could be obtained, and we did a large business, Mrs. Ford 



