Carnation Culture in Lafayette, Indiana 



will permit. Cultivation is closely attended to, and the ground is never 

 permitted to become baked and crusty. This is the only way to be pre- 

 pared for a dry spell, and is much more beneficial to the plants than resort- 

 ing to watering. 



Topping is commenced as soon as the plants attain a height of five or 

 six inches. A young shoot, topped in time, will break much quicker than 

 one allowed to form a flower bud. 



We commence planting in the house by the ist of August. In our 

 section of the country, with too early planting, we have to fight red spider; 

 and in exterminating this pest, by excessive syringing, we invite fungous 

 diseases. 



fredp:rick dorner 



Frederick Dorner of Lafayette, Indiana, was born at Scliiltack, situated in one of 

 the valleys of the Black Forest Mountains in Baden, Germany, on November 29, 1837. 



There he attended the common schools and 

 received a fair, practical education. At the 

 age of seventeen he emigrated to America, 

 landing in New York on i\Iay 7, 1855, going 

 direct to Lafayette, Indiana, where an older 

 brother resided. His occupation in the early 

 part of his residence there was varied. 

 Naturally fond of flowers, he concluded to 

 follow their culture, and found employment 

 with a Mr. Loyd, one of the pioneer florists 

 and gardeners of Indiana, who was at that 

 time supplying the Chicago and Indianapolis 

 markets. ]\Ir. Dorner remained there but a 

 short time, fever and ague attacking him and 

 compelling him to relinquish his situation. 



Fifteen years were subsequently devoted to 

 farming, when he again returned to his favor- 

 ite occupation in 1870, renting a place to grow 

 vegetables. Attached to this was a small 

 greenhouse for the cultivation of pot plants. 

 This location he left, and rented the estab- 

 lishment where he had first found employ- 

 ment. Here he erected three small green- 

 houses, and cultivated flowers, vegetables 

 and small fruits. 

 From that period dates the beginning of his present establishment. His business 

 gradually increased, and in 1889 it received a new impetus, when Mr. Dorner drifted 

 into the growing of seedling carnations, and in 1890, when he moved into his present 

 place. 



Frederick Dor.ner 



259 



