240 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



We have to grow things that will bring the largest return per 

 square foot of space taken up, and such as are most easily handled. 

 We cannot afford to wait years before returns come in. The old- 

 school gardener regrets not seeing more attention paid to the things 

 that were popular in his day, but the modern florist simply cannot 

 afford to give it. 



It isn't said that because you make every effort to get the most 

 out of your establishment in dollars and cents you cannot enjoy the 

 work, or find time to play. But if you |want to stay in the ring, 

 you must keep abreast of the times you live in. There are only two 

 ways: Be uptodate or be outofdate. The man who leads in his 

 particular line is the one who will always be ready to give a fair 

 trial to everything new that comes out in the way of plants and 

 flowers; he is the one who takes an interest in any and every move- 

 ment making for the advance of floriculture. He himself profits 

 most by doing so. 



PLANTS FOR THE RETAIL GROWER AND 

 HOW TO GROW THEM 



ABELIA CHINENSIS GRANDIFLORA 



The florist who handles shrubs and is located a little farther 

 to the South than we are should find a place for Abelia chinensis 

 among the desirable evergreen flowering sorts. Of medium height, 

 it forms rather dense-growing specimens, starts to flower by the end 

 of June, and keeps it up until late in the Fall. Its Heather-like 

 blossoms practically cover the whole plant when in full bloom. 



Being evergreen, a good way to handle the plants, especially 

 when transplanting 3- to 4-ft. stock, is to take them up with a ball 

 of soil and burlap it. If this is done carefully the plants won't show 

 any sign of a check. 



ABIES CONCOLOR (COLORADO WHITE FIR) 



There are a number of beautiful sorts of Abies which will grow 

 into big specimens, and the florist who is called upon to make a 

 planting of evergreens, or rather Conifers (to which group the 

 Abies belong) should include some of them for the sake of variety. 

 The White or Silver Fir (Abies concolor) is also known as Colorado 

 Fir and grows into grand specimens. Balsam Fir is perhaps the 

 best known of the Abies, and even as a small plant can be used to 

 advantage when you have window boxes to fill with evergreens for 

 Winter effect. We have customers who will choose the Balsam Fir 

 instead of the Norway Spruce for a Christmas tree; they like the 

 odor of the needles and think them more graceful. If you have the 

 space, let your nurseryman supply you with a few plants. It doesn't 



