130 PACIFIC STATES FLORAL CONGRESS. 



shine and flowers, and as they appear to be abundant, they expect them to 

 be very cheap. Because there is no frost, rain, or wind, and only sun- 

 shine in January (as occurred this past winter), they can not realize 

 that the winter-time here is the resting season for our plants, the same ' 

 as with their own in the east or middle west. It is not necessary for 

 the snow to fall for a plant to know when to take its rest. 



Then, again, a few days of wind or rain will often spoil a great many 

 blossoms that are just developing. It is often with difficulty that 

 the supply of flowers of a good quality can be kept up steadily, and 

 so the quality and quantity are variable, and the florist is liable to many 

 trials and much vexation during the best business season. A small 

 part of the tourist trade is willing to pay well for the quality they 

 admire, and have been accustomed to, but as yet that class of trade 

 does not warrant the necessary expenditure to meet the demand. 



I think a conservative estimate will place the gross sales of the 

 florist trade at San Diego and Coronado at about ten thousand dollars, 

 but the amount of stock handled is four or five times what that 

 amount of trade represents in San Francisco. 



Three of the local florists grow their own flowers and plants, so 

 their business and interests are divided between the sale and arrange- 

 ment and the growing of the flowers. This, of course, makes it more 

 difficult. The Coronado Beach Company maintain a nursery, and 

 grow principally all flowers used extensively by the hotel for its own 

 decoration, and during the winter a sales-stand is conducted within 

 the hotel. 



Los Angeles does not grow winter flowers of a quality superior to 

 those of San Diego, and so there is no advantage gained by shipping 

 from that city. What we have is better than we can import after the 

 wear and tear of transportation are considered. San Francisco is there- 

 fore the only purchasing market for a better quality of flowers, and 

 the great distance and very careless packing (which I have never yet 

 been able to overcome) make every attempt at receiving good flowers 

 from San Francisco almost a total disappointment (lilies-of-the-valley 

 excepted) . 



There is no outlet for the surplus stock of San Diego in spring, 

 summer, or fall. The surrounding towns and villages practically ask 

 for nothing. The towns of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are 

 nearer to Los Angeles. A great change will come about for the florist 

 and the flower business just as soon as a railroad outlet directly east 

 is secured. This railroad will, within fifty miles of our city, cross a 

 mountain range whose climate is varied. There is an abundance of 

 wood, water, summer rains, fertile soils, and frosty nights. Then at 

 the right altitude will be established nurseries for the growing of 



