CHAPTER XXV 



The American Carnation Society 



SHORTLY after the writer engaged in the culture of carnations at East 

 Moriches, L. I., he became impressed with the idea that much more 

 could be accomplished in the way of improving the Divine Flower 

 if an association of those most interested in its culture could be organized. 

 With this end in view, correspondence was opened with a number of florists 

 who were at that time paying more than usual attention to the carnation. 

 These letters met with favorable responses from almost every individual 

 addressed, the result being the publication in the existing florists' trade 

 papers of the following 



CALL. 



To American Carnation Grozvcrs: You are cordially invited to attend a meeting 

 to be held in Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, Pa., on Thursday, October 15, 1891, at 

 2.00 p. m., for the purpose of organizing a Society of American Carnation Growers. 



"In order to make this Society as comprehensive as possible, and to insure the 

 greatest benefit to growers, it is essential that all should become members. 



"All those who are unable to attend will kindly send their names for enrollment. 

 The object of this Society will be to materially benefit carnation growers, and to ad- 

 vance the popularity of the Divine Flower so that it shall stand second to none. Let us 

 all step to the front and put our shoulders to the wheel. 



C. W. Ward, C. J. Pen nock, Geo. W. Love, 



Geo. Creighton, Geo. Hancock, John McGowan, 



C. E. Allen, A. M. Herr, Alex. McBride, 



Wm. Swayne, Edward Swayne, H. E. Chitty, 



R. T. Lombard, E. B. Jennings, Isaac Larkin, 



Fred Schneider, Chas. T. Starr, Edwin Lonsdale, 



W. R. Shelmire." 



[Note. — It may be interesting to note that only nine of those who joined 

 in this call are now growing carnations as a specialty. Three are dead, and 

 seven have entered other occupations.] 



The proposition to organize this Society met with some criticism on 

 the part of a few members of The Society of American Florists, who at that 

 time probably imagined that the organization of another association com- 

 posed of men interested in a special branch of floriculture might interfere 



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