Who Shall Grow Carnations 



nish me with a list of such varieties as you would advise me to grow — those that can be 

 sold to the best advantage? 



Any courtesy you may show Mr. Rowls will be much appreciated, and, in con- 

 sideration of your advice and kindness, I will purchase the entire stock I may require 

 from your establishment. What chances do you think I would have of succeeding in 

 the undertaking? 



Thanking you in advance for your kind consideration, I remain, 



Yours sincerely, J. Kelsey Blank. 



J. Kelsey Blank, Esq. 

 My dear Sir : 



Replying to your esteemed favor of recent date, I have given your gardener, 

 Mr. Rowls, whatever information he asked for. In regard to your undertaking growing 

 carnations in a commercial way, I think you would have as good a chance of succeed- 

 ing as I would, should I enter the business of manufacturing chemicals. No doubt a 

 man of your experience and ability would succeed, provided you were able to give car- 

 nation growing the attention and study it requires. Your inquiry has awakened the 

 suggestion in my mind : Why should I not engage in the chemical manufacturing busi- 

 ness? I have some spare money. You could advise me in the conduct of the business 

 as well as I could advise you in the florist business; then, too, I could purchase my 

 stock, to start with, from your firm. What do you say to our trading business expe- 

 rience in this way? Sincerely yours, C. W. Ward. 



Office of Blank & Co., 



Manufacturing Chemists, 

 469 Blank Street, Chicago, 111. 



My dear Mr. W : 



Many thanks for your kind letter of the 20th inst. You have opened my eyes about 

 the florist's business. I have concluded that it is best for every shoemaker to stick to his 

 last, and I shall not engage in growing carnations for sale. 



Sincerely yours, J. Kelsey Blank. 



But every one who essays the culture of carnations does not make a 

 failure, and there may be individuals among any of the above-mentioned 

 classes of people who will make a success of the undertaking. Upon general 

 principles, it may be stated that the most successful growers of carnations 

 will be those who combine practical cultural skill and knowledge of flowers 

 with an inborn love for them so strong that those making the effort may be 

 willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve successful results. Never- 

 theless, a genuine love of the business, and a determination to succeed, will 

 frequently overcome a lack of cultural skill ; and there are many cases that 

 might be mentioned where the novice has engaged in the culture of flowers 

 and, by dint of application, hard work and perseverance, made a success. 



Would I discourage anyone who wished to enter the florist's profession ? 

 No, indeed. Only a note of warning, that "all is not gold that glitters," and 



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