104 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1900. 



cheap labor. We have had asparagus plumosus and spien- 

 gerii ; we have had the crimson rambler rose ; we have the bay 

 trees dotting our streets. We have seen great botanic gardens, 

 like the Bronx, brought into being. We have the wonderful 

 development of the Arnold Arboretum, the metropolitan sys- 

 tem of parks in Boston. Have seen the Back Bay fens con- 

 verted from a swamp into a garden ; and I desire to say that in 

 all which tends to the advancement of horticulture along its best 

 and broadest lines, the Massachusetts and Worcester County 

 Horticultural Societies have played, and are playing, a most 

 prominent part. The raising of roses is a much more difficult 

 branch of the business, and should be taken up only after a 

 certain amount of experience. When this is gained, consider- 

 able money may be made in it. 



Did you ever stop to think where and how the beautiful flow- 

 ers were grown? The flower business has great prizes to otter 

 if one is of an investigating turn of mind. The thirty-live hun- 

 dred dollars that was received for the Mrs. Lawson pink is 

 inspiring to one thinking of going into the business. It is won- 

 derfully interesting to create new flowers, to make those bloom 

 double that have heretofore been single, and to paint the lily 

 a new color; it is really scientific work. It is adapted to 

 women, and so profitable has it generally proved that it is 

 strange so few have taken it up. 



If a woman decides to take up flower and vegetable culture 

 as a profession, she ought, if it be possible, to tit herself for it 

 by a previous course of study in some agricultural college ; she 

 should be familiar with botany and chemistry. If she has a 

 chance to travel and study the flora of other countries, she has 

 the greater chance of making a name for herself. 



Miss Myra Dock, of Philadelphia, is an illustration. She 

 was sent out by the Park Commissioners to study the park sys- 

 tem in Europe. Trees should be studied as well as landscape 

 gardening. Perhaps some day women may be Park Commis- 

 sioners, and parks today show the need of some new element 

 in that department of civic life. 



The demand and supply for carnation pinks never was so 



