THE PROGRESS OF COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE. 189 



seems almost incredible. What is commercial floriculture? What 

 is a florist? So great has been the development in all lines of 

 business connected with the introduction, culture, and sale of floral 

 productions that our language even has not kept pace with the 

 business ; and so we find a great combination of industries for 

 which we have no distinctive or generally accepted names. Thirty 

 years ago, when one spoke of a gardener, or a florist, every one 

 knew what was meant. What is a gardener now? Who are the 

 florists ? 



I am sure that if I were to confine this essay to a narra- 

 tion merely of the progress in the culture of flowers for commer- 

 cial purposes, I should not be fulfilling the duty expected by your 

 Committee. They desire also to hear something about the great 

 modern marts, where cut flowers are distributed, arranged, and 

 sold, and which a few years ago did not exist. But what have 

 those places to do with floriculture? Many of those employed in 

 them never potted a plant, never syringed a house ; many of them 

 know as little of the details required to perfect the flowers they 

 sell as they do of the manufacture of the wire and tin-foil they 

 use, or the baskets they fill, yet they occupy an important place 

 in the florist's business of toda^-. The little industry which forty 

 years ago was onl}' in the embryo state has during the past twenty 

 years made such strides, and its present rate of growth is so great, 

 that it looks as though the future will have to coin new worda if it 

 will keep up with the florist's trade. 



The commercial idea, this trading in cut flowers by the dozen or 

 hundred, I am well aware is an unwelcome subject to some well- 

 meaning people. I recall a conversation with a gentleman whom 

 you all know, and whose fame as a botanist is world wide, in 

 which he made some inquiries regarding my employment, and I 

 shall never forget the look of disgust which overspread his face as 

 he said, " Yes, yes, peddle them out so much a barrel, just as you 

 would potatoes." There are doubtless many people who agree with 

 him ; they grow a flower for itself, they say, and not for its value 

 in dollars and cents. But where do our most beautiful flowers, 

 our most luscious fruits come from, and whom shall we thank 

 for them ? They are in many cases, no doubt, primarily the re- 

 sult of the labors and studies of men who have done the work for 

 the love of it alone ; but had it not been for that ever-present and 

 all-powerful element iu human nature, the desire for gain, and the 



