58 



could be profitably modified, and a spirit of inquiry and 

 willingness to change has been engendered, especially a 

 desire to adapt the conditions to the fundamental needs of 

 the crop grown, if such knowledge can be obtained. 



In citing the chief factors in changing the ideals in 

 greenhouse culture one must not forget the subtle but 

 potent influence of the long-stemmed flower. To meet the 

 demands of fashion for a large flower upon a strong leafy 

 stem of considerable length, very fortunately a demand 

 that rests upon a healthy taste, although one that is some- 

 times carried to extremes, the florist has been obliged to 

 inquire into the conditions that especially promote a 

 vigorous, yet substantial development. Besides produc- 

 ing a large flower upon a long stem, thorough business 

 success requires that the petals be of a lasting texture and 

 the stem firm and substantial, and that each plant shall 

 produce a maximum number of such blooms continuously 

 for the season. Only high bred plants, strengthened 

 along every hereditary channel, kept under conditions for 

 well-balanced and healthy development, can meet these 

 exacting requirements. 



A clear conception of the problem shows some radical 

 defects in the old-time methods of rearing plants under 

 glass. A year ago, in my paper before this Society 

 under the caption, ''Moisture, the Plant's Greatest Re- 

 quirement," I presented reasons for believing that for the 

 flowers and vegetables usually grown in commercial 

 greenhouses, wrong ideas prevailed regarding the dis- 

 tribution and application of moisture. I pointed out that 

 the plant would thrive best, especially the carnation, 

 when the air was moderately dry, and the soil moist 

 beneath and dry on the surface. To secure these condi- 



