Red Flowers for Christmas— By Leonard Barron, 



New 

 York 



WHY RED IS THE FAVORITE COLOR AT CHRISTMAS— THE BEST CUT FLOWERS AND POT- 

 TED PLANTS THAT HAVE THIS CHEERY COLOR— A NOTABLE PLANT WITH RED BERRIES 



E 



VERYBODY demands red flowers at 

 Christmas — ■ gorgeous, glowing red, 

 because it is the cheeriest color. 

 Red flowers seem to radiate a positive 

 warmth that makes them doubly welcome 

 at this season, for not only do they typify 

 goodwill to all men, but, by their sharp con- 

 trast with the outdoors, add to the comfort 



inside. And there is a deal more in the 

 influence of color than some of us think. 



THE TWO FAVORITE CUT FLOWERS 



Because of its fragrance and because of 

 its sturdy growth, the American Beauty 

 rose still stands highest in popular esteem, 

 but not every one can afford a bunch of 



Carnations are the most satisfactory flowers for the amateur to buy. Mrs. Patten (white and red) is a favorite 



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these roses. It is not so long ago that Meteor 

 was the only dark red rose of this season, 

 but it gave place to Liberty which was per- 

 haps a little easier for the majority to grow; 

 and this year, the new American rose, Rich- 

 mond, will be the leader in the big cities 

 because it has the advantage of lasting better. 



The most satisfactory cut flowers for most 

 people at Christmas are red carnations, 

 because they last longer and cost less than 

 roses. They lend themselves easily to 

 decorative purposes, and the colors of the 

 red ones are more fiery, too. Of the newer 

 bright red varieties that are most popular 

 this year, Beacon is the leader, and has won 

 its place largely on account of its behavior 

 in the greenhouse. Color and fragrance 

 are qualities that captivate the public, but 

 the grower looks also into questions of 

 constitution, freedom of bloom, rigidity of 

 stem, etc. All these are so balanced in the 

 variety Beacon that it is at the present time 

 a commercial favorite. It has been given 

 us by Peter Fisher, whose Mrs. T. W. Lawson 

 marked a new era in carnation standards. 



A variegated carnation, having red splashed 

 on white, is welcome as a foil to the other 

 flowers and is still in keeping. Really 

 worthy varieties of this type are few. The 

 variety Mrs. G. M. Bradt has held the 

 lead for several years but in its turn is being 

 supplanted by the beautiful Mrs. Patten, of 

 large size and having the red splashings of a 

 lighter, more pleasing hue. 



THE REDDEST FLOWER OF ALL 



Potted plants in flower are preferable to 

 cut flowers because they last longer and 

 many of them can be kept over until next 

 Christmas. The brighest red color is seen 

 in the poinsettia, but its endurance is short 

 once it is taken away from hothouse 

 conditions. 



THE MOST PROFUSE OF FLOWERS 



For the greatest profusion of flower, the 

 Gloire de Lorraine begonia is the best plant, 

 but the flowers are pink, not red, yet they 

 have sufficient suggestion of warmth to make 

 them acceptable. But it is chiefly because 

 of their extraordinary profusion that they 

 have become so popular. The plant will 

 thrive in an ordinary living-room, remaining 

 in flower for weeks. 'Cut it down after the 

 flowers fade and encourage a new growth to 

 develop. ..<"'"■'. 



THE CHEAPEST FLOWERING PLANT 



The most easily grown and the cheapest 

 flowering planfof the season is the geranium. 

 Anybody can keep it growing after the 

 flowers have faded and can confidently count 

 upon a succession of flower heads until the 

 weather becomes warm enough to set the 

 plant outdoors. 



The geranium is one of the best subjects 

 for the beginner in gardening to play with, 



