March, 1907 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



The Flower Doctor 



By S. Leonard Bastin 



HE discovery of the commercial \'alue of 

 flowers is one of the most remarkable de- 

 velopments of our times. Even the ad- 

 \-anced gardeners of a century ago had not 

 the faintest idea that one day huge indus- 

 tries would spring into being, having for 

 their sole object the culture and marketing 

 of blossoms. As one would expect, the appearance of this 

 floral enterprise has led to the creation of many positions for 

 those who specialize, which otherwise would never have seen 

 the light of day. Quite the most remarkable of these novel 

 vocations is that of the flower doctor — a man, or not infre- 

 quently a woman, who gives his or her whole time to the 

 handling of blossoms with a view to making good any im- 

 perfections which they may possess. 



Nature is quite perfect in her ways as a general rule, the 

 flower doctor readily admits, but even she will sometimes 

 make mistakes, and quite often will be all the better for a 

 few touches from his skilful hand. Of course the very first 

 principle of this curious art is concealment; the work must 

 be done so well that no one can discern that it has been done 

 at all. Flower doctoring is very much more widely prac- 

 ticed than might be supposed, and it speaks well for the skill 

 of the operator that so few people are even aware of the 

 existence of his strange profession. In the present article 

 it will be the endeavor of the writer to give the reader a 

 little peep behind the scenes in a modern flower growing 

 establishments. 



To begin with, the flower doctor, no less than his name- 

 sake in the medical profession, must have his case of instru- 

 ments. These are much like a portion of a surgeon's stock 



in trade; delicate pairs of dissecting scissors, forceps of all 

 shapes and grades, cutting pliars In addition to a host of 

 brushes in all sizes. fhere are also a number of acces- 

 sories the use of which will become apparent when the flower 

 doctor is seen at his work. The whole paraphernalia, which 

 tnakes quite a formidable array, includes spray producers, 

 and bottles containing gums and scent essences. 



The most ordinary duties of the flower doctor consist in 

 simply correcting imperfections in the flowers which are 

 placed in his hands. A great box full of freshly gathered 

 rose buds is brought in to him. Many of these are not 

 quite as they should be. A withered, or perhaps a badly de- 

 veloped petal spoils what would otherwise be a perfect 

 flower. With a pair of forceps in his deft hand the doctor 

 rapidly goes over each bloom. This petal which is out of its 

 place is put into a right position; that ill-shaped one is torn 

 away altogether. In the end the flower is placed aside with- 

 out the least blemish to detract from its market value. If the 

 roses are wanted for some purpose where it is important that 

 the buds should not open, such as for use in a bouquet for 

 instance, each bud must be separately treated. As near to the 

 base of the bloom as is possible, thin wires are cunningly 

 inserted right through the center of the bud, so that all the 

 petals are held in such a way that they can never fall apart. 

 All other kinds of flowers are examined in the same manner 

 as has been described above, faulty petals removed and dis- 

 placed ones put into the correct position. It is not at all an 

 unusual thing in the case of chrysanthemums, to go over 

 the flower with an instrument much resembling a pair of curl- 

 ing tongs, and with delicate twists bring the petals over in 

 an elegant curling fashion. 



Wiring a Rose to Prevent It from Opening 



Freeing a Chrysanthemum from Injured Petals 



