January 28, 1909. 



The Weekly Florists^ Review. 



15 



and the word "American," applied to 

 this flower, means "best of all." 



E. G. Gillett, of Cincinnati, responded 

 on behalf of the Carnation Society and, 

 after accepting the proffered keys to the 

 city, referred to the first time the society 

 met in Indianapolis, in 1894, when two 

 small rooms in a hotel sufficed for both 

 exhibition and meeting. He said that 

 one of Domer's seedlings was the sensa- 

 tion of that day, but that it compares 

 with the flower of the present about as 

 an ant does with an elephant. 



President M. A. Patten, of Tewks- 

 bury, Mass., being introduced to take the 

 chair, read the following address: 



President's Address. 



We have been already in Indianapolis 

 long enough to learn that we are among 

 indulgent friends. As eighteenth presi- 

 dent, I also extend to you a welcome and 

 wish you all a prosperous and happy new 

 year, and a successful convention on this 

 our third visit to Indianapolis. 



The past year has been a trying one 

 to the florists. The depression in busi- 

 ness has laid a heavy hand on many, but 

 the future looks bright. Let us be alert 

 and ready to take advantage of the im- 

 provement in business. 



Advancement of. the Carnation. 



Many new varieties of carnations have 

 been introduced during the {)ast season; 

 time will tell how many will prove 

 worthy of perpetuation. Anyone send- 

 ing out a new variety should exercise due 

 care to have the stock healthy, the cut- 

 tings good and well rooted. 



The carnation is still the popular 

 flower, and as our society stands for the 

 advancement of the carnation, continue 

 it so. The raisers of new varieties have 

 made marked improvement, but have not 

 reached perfection yet. 



I think iy generally understood that 

 this society/does not necessarily endorse 

 a variety faa a profitable kind to grow 



Fred E. Dorner, Jr. 



(Re-elected Treasurer American Carnation Society.) 



commercially, because it has been success- 

 ful in obtaining a prize. 



At the national flower show at Chi- 

 cago last November, under the auspices 

 of the S. A. F., the interest in carna- 

 tions was indeed manifested by the en- 

 thusiasm of the many visitors. This was 

 probably the largest exhibition of car- 



nations at a fall show ever held in the 

 country, and was a credit to the ex- 

 hibitors. 



A Plea for Increased Membership. 



As our conventions are held in differ- 

 ent parts of the country, some members 

 lose interest when the conventions are 



General View Carnation Exhibit. 



