August 29, 18S8.] 



Garden and Forest. 



321 



and differs from the common J^osa chineiisis, Jacq. [R. indlca, 

 Auct.) by its single-Howered inflorescence, entire outer sepals, 

 unarmed Horiferous axis, and very large flower. It may pro\-f 

 to be an extreme variety of R. chinensis, but at any rate culti- 

 vators should look after it. It is fully described in M. Crepin's 

 paper under the name of Rosa gigantca, Collett jVISS. — Gar- 

 deners' Chronicle. 



The Florists' Convention. 

 Extracts from Papers Read. 



FROM THE president's .\ DDK ESS. 



"What we need, and what our profession demands, is a 

 training school for our children and the young men who are to 

 follow in our footsteps, where shall lie taught a scientific and 

 technical knowledge of the things pertaining to plant life 

 and plant growth, in their relations to soil, and heat, and 

 water. Our neeti, and the need of the young men who are to 

 follow, is such an education as will enable us to analyze soils, 

 and to know, scientifically, their constituent parts, and their 

 relation to the tibre and tissue of a plant ; to be able to detect 

 deleterious and injurious substances, to check and control the 

 chemical action in soils, to adjust to a nicety the proportions of 

 heat, food and water. Our most successful men are often 

 confovuided and amazed at their own failures, and can seldom 

 assign an intelligent reason for the same. Often in the same 

 house, under apparently similar conditions, with the same 

 kind of soil, failure attends, where, in former years, was had 

 abundant success. Instances of this kind abound on every 

 hand, and we arc all familiar with lliem. This need not be, 

 for with a right education and proper training — such as I hope 

 awaits the young men of the future — these problems, so seri- 

 ous and difficult to ourselves, will, to them, disappear as the 

 dew before the morning sun. This knowledge, so desirable 

 and important, can only be imparted by Specialists and teach- 

 ers devoted to such work. Industrial and scientific education 

 is making remarkable progress the world over, and we, who 

 have the good of the profession at heart, must see to if that it 

 .is kept abreast of the times. With all our boasted achieve- 

 ments in plant growing and flower production, the fact 

 remains that it has been wrought out by an enormous 

 waste of time and physical force. How to correct this, is 

 the question uppermost in the minds of many thoughtful 

 florists. 



■' Mr. Thorpe, in his address to you at Philadelphia, ex- 

 pressed a desire that at no distant date there might be estab- 

 tished a National E.xperimental Garden ; if to that could be 

 united a school for the special training of persons- for our 

 vocation, where a practical and scientific education would 

 be imparted, such an institution would pro\'e of incalculable 

 benefit to every member of the trade." 



Mr. Hill suggested, as an incentive to experiments in hy- 

 bridizing, that the Society should ofl'er liberal prizes for new 

 plants of American origin, and closed with some sound ad- 

 vice on commercial integrity, from which we quote : 



"Those desiring the good of the profession, and who have 

 its welfare at heart, have entered solemn protest against the 

 dissemination of plants under false names. This abuse, 

 which has grown out of avarice and a lack of moral princi- 

 ple, must be checked. We must not, we cannot alford to 

 pass this matter by ; the fact remains that the most urd^hish- 

 ing frauds ha\'e been perpetrated on an over-confident public. 

 Commercial probity, uprightness in our dealings with our 

 patrons, is one of the things this Society must insist upon, 

 until this blight which has fastened itself upon our calling is 

 eliminated and destroyed. There must fie no uncertain 

 sound issue from this body of men on this particular subject. 

 "The renaming of plants must not be overlooked. We 

 nuist hold inviolate and sacred the right of any man or 

 woman to name the plant through whose skill, patience ami 

 care it has been produced ; and not only that, but we must, 

 Ijy the moral force of this Society, render secure his or her 

 right and title in the same forever. No one has the right, 

 either through caprice or malice, to change or attach anv 

 other name save that given it by its disseminator. 



" Another suggestion in connection with this suljject mav 

 with propriety be referred to. Where the translated name 

 from a foreign tongue is used, the original should follow in 

 parenthesis. I question the expediency of using translations, 

 but if it must be done, it is only right and proper that the 

 original shall follow. To do this will certainly allay suspicion, 

 and would prevent the unsuspecting from making duplicate 

 purchases." 



ROSES FROM THE GROWER S STANDPOINT. 



This was the subject of a paper by Mr. Edwin Lonsdale, of 

 Philadelphia. — After stating that the first essential in the case 

 was that the Rose could be profitably produced, the speaker 

 discussed at lengtli the value of different varieties: 



" Bon Silene is a very old favorite, and is still one of the most 

 profitable varieties in many localities. Its fresh pink color and 

 ideal shape commends it to all flower lovers, and its produc- 

 tiveness will keep it on the list for some time to come. The 

 day has gone by for high prices, of course, but it will contimie 

 in steady demand. 



"Catharine Mermet commands the admiration of every one 

 who sees it. Its delicate coloring, delicious fragrance and ex- 

 quisite form has made it a deservedfavorite. Unfortunately, not 

 all of us can grow it profitably. Many admit that they are com- 

 pelled to grow it, but it does not pay. It requires special treat- 

 ment to bring out its paying qualities; and is very much inclined 

 tc> run to blind wood if grown in too li.ght a soil. It prefers a 

 rather stiff, though porous, soil, for no Rose is more impatient 

 of excessive moisture at the roots, and a night temperature 

 ot not higher than fifty-five degrees produces the finest 

 flowers. 



"The Bride is a sport from the last named variety, being iden- 

 tical with it, excepting in color, which is white. It has estab- 

 lished itself as one ofthe best white Roses we have. Of course 

 it does not compare with the Puritan when at its best, nor with 

 Niphetos for productiveness; but it can generally be depended 

 upon to bring a fair price when delivered in good condition. 

 It has almost entirely displaced Cornelia Cook, and will hold 

 its own for some time to come. 



" Niphetos, it has been said, will be grown wlien all the white 

 Roses now in cultivafion have been forgotten. This is per- 

 haps going a little too far ; but it goes to show in what esteem 

 this Rose is held, either by itself in a boucpiet, or in "set" 

 pieces, for which purpose no Rose is better adapted. For 

 producti\-eness, taking quality through the crop, I diink il 

 leads them all. 



" Much was hoped from the Puritan ; and these hopes hatl 

 some foundation ; but, alas ! experience has demonstrated that 

 tlie majoritv of the many buds formed produce imperfect 

 blooms. After the experience of last winter, it cannot be 

 placed on the list of Roses likely to prove profitable. 



"The advent of the now somewhat old and famous Perle des 

 jardins marked a new era in Rose culture. Hitherto Safrano 

 and Isabella Sprunt were the standard sorts grown, with Bon 

 Silene. Marechal Neil was only grown in a few localities, but 

 the Perle was accorded a place in every establishment^ 

 and it caused many Horists to turn their attention to Rose 

 growing, it will be a long time before the Perle is super- 

 seded, and, for general purposes, it remains one of the best 

 we have. Hovvever, it is true tliat some of our very best 

 growers do not find it profitable, because of so many flowers 

 coming malformed. It is believed by some florists to require 

 a more porous soil than most varieties do, and a night tem- 

 perature of from 60° to 65°. 



"Sunset is a sport from the last named and requires the same 

 treatment. It has entirely superseded Safrano, and its off- 

 spring, Ned Falcot, and is' likely to be more popular in the 

 future than it has been in the past. 



" Papa Gontierhas not been in general cultivation sufficiently 

 long for all growers to learn its requirements thoroughly, or 

 to bring out its good qualities. That it has estaljlished itself 

 as a favorite amongst flower buyers there is no doubt. Its 

 long stems and good foliage would give it high rank, even if 

 its fine color were not so desirable. The tendency to lose its 

 leaves in winter, however, is against it, and if this tendency 

 can be overcome it must be considered a first-class variety. 



"Souvenir d'un Ami is anotlier very old Rose and never 

 much of a favorite as a cut flower. Its popularity is evidentl}- 

 on the wane in New York, possibly because of the preference 

 for larger Roses. 



"La France bounded in popular favor suddenly as a winter 

 bloomer. Its adaptability for forcing must have been discov- 

 ered about the time Mr.' Bennett's Hyljrid Teas were intro- 

 duced, to which class La France undoubtedly belongs. It is a 

 great favorite with all flower lovers, and, generally speaking, 

 profitable to the grower. More than a dozen florists ha\-e told 

 me that it has been the best paying Rose they grew. La 

 France, and, in fact, all Hybrid Teas, under which head may 

 be classified Duke of Corinaught, William F. Bennett, Covuit- 

 ess of Pembroke and a few others, are more susceptible to 

 the attacks of Black Spot than the true Teas are. -As a pre- 

 ventive of this, avoid too much moisture during cool weather. 

 The fall months, before it is thoughttime to start a fire, are the 

 worst for this class of Roses. 



