FLORICULTURE IN SAX DIEGO. 129 



In conclusion I would say that in order that the demand for field- 

 grown roses may continue, strictly first-class stock must be put on the 

 market, and the same at a fair and reasonable figure. 



West Berkeley, Gal 



FLORICULTURE IN SAN DIEGO. 



BY MISS KATE 0. SESSIONS. 



San Diego is situated so far from any larger place, and so in the 

 extreme corner of the state, beyond which only sea, mountain, and 

 unsettled Mexico lie, that her flower trade has thus far been prac- 

 tically only a local one; but during the past twelve years four florists 

 have established themselves in business, three of whom are women, and 

 who had not any previous training or experience in this line of work. 

 The demands of the trade are of two sorts, the trade with the per- 

 manent residents, and that with the tourist and winter visitor. The 

 latter supply about one-third of the entire trade, though they remain 

 in our city but about three months. 



It would' be at first supposed that in a place where water has been 

 rather scarce, rainfall light, soil uncultivated, and native trees and 

 shrubbery about the city wanting, the florist business might be more 

 extensive than where conditions for general gardening were more 

 favorable; but I believe the business is not as large as in other cities 

 of equal size or wealth. San Diego is not a city of wealth, and though 

 a large number of her citizens are people of means and leisure and 

 independence, they live a very quiet life, and their wants for flowers 

 are constant, but very modest, compared with the demands of similar 

 citizens of an eastern city or San Francisco. Again, the continual 

 sunshine, soft and balmy air, reduces the demand for flowers. Nearly 

 ^verybody can be out-of-doors every day, and are out walking, driving, 

 golfing, or gardening. Most of the residents are from the east, and 

 all flowers attract them, and the florist is not called upon to produce 

 flowers that are difficult of culture. 



The greatest demand is from December to April, and as there are 

 no flowers grown beneath glass, the conditions of the weather deter- 

 mine the quality and quantity of the flower supply. Weeks of bright 

 and dry days are glorious for the traveler in January arid February, 

 but are most trying on budding roses and spring bulbous stock that 

 loves coolness and moisture, though the carnation revels in the bright, 

 dry air, if its roots are well irrigated. 



The winter visitors are not as liberal in purchasing flowers as might 

 be expected. They anticipate southern California as a land of sun- 



