IMPORTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT 3 



a science in itself. In its early stages, commercial growers 

 of flowering plants recognized the need of but few scientific 

 principles. As competition has increased, however, there 

 has come to be a strong feeling among flower-producers 

 that a thorough knowledge of the soil and its fertilization, 

 the principles governing plant growth, the principles of 

 plant-breeding, also a knowledge of the various insects 

 and diseases which attack plant tissue, is very essential 

 for the successful culture of any crop. 



To understand properly the soil and its fertility, a 

 knowledge of chemistry and geology is necessary. Botany, 

 or that phase of it which treats of the normal functions of 

 the plant, known as plant physiology, is especially im- 

 portant. Plant pathology, which deals with plant dis- 

 eases, is equally important. All plant-growers should have 

 a knowledge of entomology that they may understand the 

 structure and habits of insects and thus be prepared to 

 combat successfully their attacks. Combined with a 

 knowledge of these subjects, commercial flower-producers 

 should have keen business ability, so that the cost of pro- 

 duction may not exceed the financial returns. 



6. Origin of the commercial flower-growing industry. 

 - The early history of the flower-growing industry is 

 obscure. It was merged to such an extent with other 

 branches of horticulture, and other industries, that for 

 a considerable period it could hardly be called a distinct 

 industry. It is supposed to have originated in the early 

 part of the nineteenth century, in the vicinity of Phila- 

 delphia, which was at that time foremost in the social life 

 of the United States. The sale of cut-flowers, however, 

 was of very little importance at that time, and the few 

 flowers sold were largely placed on the market by seeds- 

 men, or grocery and provision dealers. 



