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Fbbbuabt 14, 1907. 



The Weekly Florists^ Review* 



925 



There are few people who get the fullest value 

 or enjoyment poMible out of cut flowers, ferns, 

 palms and other decorative plants, simply through 

 laCk of knowledge of how to care for them. This 

 fact is all the more surprising when it is realized 

 that their care requires no scientific knowledge 

 and demands so littl* atteetion. 



, The height of a floral decoration for 



DlalaVTablaa * dinner t«bJ« should be from 10 to 

 15 inches. At large banquets a 

 greater height is permissible. The best form is to 

 limit the flowers to one variety, although two may 

 be permitted. Each bouquet may consist of from 

 6 to 24 flowers. Roses or Carnations are always 

 satisfactory, but at certAin seasons Tulips, Nar- 

 cissus, DaflFodills, Hyacinths, Peonies, Gladioli, 

 Asters, Dahlias, or Chrysanthemums may be used. 

 When a low table decoration is preferred. Sweet 

 Peas, Lily of Valley, or Violets fill the requirements. 

 In any floral decoration overcrowding and 

 stiffness should be avoided. Try to secure a care- 

 lessly graceful arrangement, permitting every 

 flower to preserve its own individuality. 



Asparagus, Maiden Hair, or Dagger Ferns 

 shoula be strewn on the tables, while here and 

 there should be scattered a few Roses. Carnations 

 or seasonable flowers. For a souvpnir, one flower 

 should be laid at each guest's p)ate. Clusters 

 may be used for ladies. 



The color of flowftrs should always hahnonise. 

 Or at least not antagonize, the effect of the sur- 

 ro^indings. Red and •yellow are enlivening; deep 

 j«d Roses or Carnations restful and luxurious. 

 Pink and white are both pleasing. 



Flower vases should be of not too narrow 

 Ymm' * base, of a design to hold the most water 



possible, consistent with style that is ar- 

 tistic and beautiful. A very satisfactory vase of 

 pressed glass, 12 inches high, 4 inches in diameter 

 at the base, 6 inches at the top, may be purchased 

 for 50 cents. It willliold from 12 to 24 flowers. 



Golrdfish Globes, 4 or 6 inch sizes, make ex- 

 cellent vases for short-stemmed flowers, showing 

 stems, foliage and flowers of Sweet Peas, Violets, 

 Orahids, Lily of- Valley, and Pansies 



Asparagus Ferns in strings are Uje 

 n^t!^tJn4 ™°*t satisfactory, as well as beaiitl- 

 ■ ful. The warm atmosphere of a 

 room does not affect them so readily as other 

 kitads. Smilax is also used, while Wild Smilax 

 and autumn leaves serve in their respective sea- 

 sons. About the base of a mantel, grille or con- 

 sole may be grouped a few decorative plants. 



Flowers are usually cut in the bud, or 

 Cut Vlowara ** '***' before the bloom has fully 



matured. They are then placed in 

 jars of water in a room where the temperature is 

 about 40 to 50 degrees. An ice box may be used. 

 Flowers thus cared for will codtinue to develop 

 and expand for several days. 



Flowers used on dining tables, mantels, 

 Praaenrln^ etc., may be preserved for use the fol- 

 """ ' lowing day if properly handled. After 

 using they should be immersed in* water 5 or 10 

 minutes, the stems clipped about i inch, then 

 drained and wrapped in tissue or news paper to 

 keep the air from the petals; then put in jars, 

 stone preferred, large enough to hold srflicient 

 water to cover the stems entirely, and put in an ice 

 bok. The following morning will find them, to 

 all appearances, as fresh as the preceding day. 



Where is the man or Woman who does 

 BoiMraeta "^^ remember the saucer bouquets 



mother use to make? The late Presi- 

 dent McKinley liked all kinds of flowers, but the 

 carnation was his favorite. He often remarked 

 that all the magnificent floral decorations supplied 

 by the White House greenhouse could not rival the 

 saucer bouquets from his mother's little flower 

 garden. 



To arrange a saucer bouquet, fill saucer or 

 plate with sand, elevating the center. Press with 

 the hand and water thoroughly. Then, im- 

 merse the flowers or leaves in the water for 5 

 minutes, drain, shake and arrange in the saucer 

 to suit the fancy, covering the sand first with 

 leaves to fpim a background. Always press 'the 

 sanci well around the «tems of each flower or leaf. 

 Afterwards water again. Keep out of sun, but in 

 the light, in a room where temperature is kept 

 as cool as possible. 



Advertising for Retailers. 

 (Last two pacres of a Hiicrhes Folder.) 



PUtoB for Annual Meeting. 



Now as to what it may expect to do 

 in the fujture and in this city. The sub- 

 ject is one that I would not attempt to 

 outline, because it is entirely dependent 

 upon the combined effort of the growers, 

 what may be accomplished. If the so- 

 ciety goes forward as rapidly in the fu- 

 ture as it has in the past it will accom- 

 plish a wonderful good for everyone en- 

 gaged in the florists' business, not to 

 speak of the great masses of people out- 

 side of the florists' trade who are inter- 

 ested in roses. My purpose in being 

 with you is more to ask that the Flo- 

 rists' Club of Washington will give us 

 that earnest support that we know it 

 will, feeling that in doing so we are 

 helping each other. We want more mem- 

 bers, not only florists but those outside 

 the trade, and in order to make the ex- 

 hibition here a success let us bend every 

 possible effort to increase the member- 

 ship of the society and stimulate public 

 interest in our efforts, and with your 

 hearty cooperation we shall have, without 

 doubt, the best meeting and most at- 

 tractive exhibition ever given by the 

 Rose Society. 



As to what we expect to do at the 

 forthcoming exhibition in our city, I am 

 unable to give a list of the number of 

 prizes to be offered, but you may de- 

 pend upon it that there will be a splen- 

 did showing. In Boston, if I recall prop- 

 erly, we had about fifty prizes, cups and 

 cash, with over 100 competitors. Our 

 president, Mr. Simpson, at the meeting 

 of the executive committee a few days 

 ago in New York, informed us that there 

 would be more prizes and of greater 

 value offered this year than ever before, 

 and this list will be ready for publica- 

 tion in a short time. It is yet early for 

 entries, but with your cooperation I feel 



saife in saying that this vrill be one of 

 the greatest exhibitions ever held in this 

 country. I would specially ask that if 

 possible the Washington society people 

 be asked to donate some special pre- 

 miums, to be published in the tiupple- 

 mentary list, in order that we m^y se- 

 cure their hearty cooperation in bringing 

 the attendance up to the highest mark. 

 ■ I shall be glad to answer any ques- 

 tion i can in regard to the number of 

 vases required, the hdight of the benches 

 and give such information as I have at 

 command, and before closing these re- 

 marks let me again urge your club to 

 give us the best hand you can in order 



to push the good work forward, so that 

 it may be said that the Washington ex- 

 hibition far outshone that which has be- 

 come so famous held in Boston last year. 



GERMINATION OF SEEDS. 



Seeds are dependent for germination 

 on definite amounts of heat, moisture, 

 oxygen and the absence of light, says the 

 publicity department of the National 

 Council of Horticulture. The amount of 

 oxygen supplied regulates itself, if the 

 seeds are planted in any soil that will 

 readily admit air. Thei regulation of 

 heat and moisture is most important, and 

 is well under control. Among seeds that 

 germinate quickly are most of the annu- 

 als, while the seeds of trees, shrubs and 

 most of the herbaceous perennials re- 

 quire a longer time. The most delicate 

 seed^ are not always the smallest, al- 

 though small seeds require careful 

 handling after germination has begun, 

 because of their size. 



As seeds are started with enough food 

 to enable them to develop a certain 

 length of shoot and root it is not neces- 

 sary to have the soil in which to sow 

 them very rich, but it is important that 

 it have good drainage and at the same 

 time does not dry up too rapidly. A 

 mixture containing equal parts of loam, 

 leaf -soil, or peat, with a good sprinkling 

 of sand, will give best results, except for 

 seeds which require special treatment. 

 It is a good plan, often practiced, to 

 sterilize the soil Nby thorough steaming or 

 baking, which desu'oyS all seeds of weeds, 

 insects' eggs, fungi, etc., that may be in 

 the soil. 



In preparing soil for planting seeds it 

 should be passed through a coarse screen 

 to remove lumps. If the seeds are to be 

 sown in pots the latter should be cleaned 

 and a few pieces of broken pots placed 

 in the pot for drainage. Fill the pots 

 with the soil, making the surface firm 

 and level. If the seeds are very small, 

 sift fine soil on top and immerse the pots 

 in water, giving them a thorough soak- 

 ing and allowing them to drain well 

 before sowing the seeds. The latter 

 should be scattered on the surface, not 

 covered. Watch the pot carefully to 

 keep it uniformly moist. Cover it with 

 a pane of clear glass, removing it to 

 admit air, and keep in a temperature of 

 60 to 70 degrees. 



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THE RETAIL 



FLORIST. 



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PROFITABLE ADVERTISING. 



For a Retail Florist 



In .these daya of competition and ri- 

 valry the retail florist should study the 

 needs and cater to the wants of his pa- 

 Irons. Everybody loves flowers, but a 

 great many people refrain from purchas- 

 ing plants and cut flowers simply on ac- 

 count of a lack of knowledge of how to 

 take care of them. 



One of the best advertisements for a 

 retail florist is to always keep an attrac- 

 tive and effective show window display. 



changing the arrangement tvrice a week, 

 or at least once. 



If the people passing can be induced 

 to admire your windows some article 

 may suit their fancy and they are in- 

 duced to enter your store and seek in- 

 formation regarding its cost, use or care. 

 These inquiries consume the time of 

 the salesman and frequently do flot lead 

 to immediate sales. 



About seventy-five per cent of the in- 

 quirers leave the store, promising to re- 

 turn later and purchase. Verbid infor- 

 mation which has been imparted to them 

 is soon forgotten. A little folder or 



