Tl?e (g-apd^i) and La(jcr). 



FLORICULTURE AS A BUSINESS FOR WOMEN.* 



[his is quite in keeping with her capabilities and 

 tastes. What more congenial occupation for 

 women than caring for the beautiful plants and 

 flowers which the Creator of all has made 1 Mov- 

 ing this one into the sunshine, picking off dead 

 leaves from another, giving all a motherly care ! 

 Peering into the face of this little flower and 

 wondering how such lovely hues can possibly 

 evolve themselves from such a homely little 

 plant I Women seem endowed with a flower' 

 loving nature, and never are quite content unless when the proud possessor of the 

 most beautiful plants that can be obtained. In these days of social progress 

 new and broader fields are opening out for the employment of women, and they 

 are not limited to the teaching profession, which has always been crowded — 

 the fine arts, manufacture of artificial flowers, designing and making of bonnets 

 and gow^ns. or, as a last resort, the more menial and heavy work. But now, as 

 the years go on we see the women of our country taking up the professions. 

 They are lawyers, doctors, and even candidates for municipal honors ; they are 

 installed as clerks in stores, typewriters, and bookkeepers ; and are now begin- 

 ing to take a place as professional florists. The business of floriculture is not 

 crowded, and there is always room for bright, thorough going, flower-loving 

 women to make it a success. A natural correct taste is one of the require- 

 ments, and in recognizing the beautiful in color and form, and, above all, the 

 harmonious and artistic combinations of these, women excel, and so are un- 

 equalled as designers and decorators in this line. 



There are some wonten to-day throughout the country doing a profitable 

 business as florists, being themselves both growers and business managers 



*A paper read before our Association at Orillia, by Miss Hodges, a practical florist. 



(27.) 



