BOTANICAL INOEX. 
hot and dry atmosphere of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. This will perhaps ex- 
plain, at least in part, why so many new and highly recommended varieties of fruit 
prove so unsuccessful to many of our Western fruit growers. 
The Floriculturist does not seem to have been benefited as much by the improved 
financial condition of the country and the benefits arising from the sale of large 
crops as the two preceding classes of producers, and as their present very unsatis- 
factory condition is so peculiar, we will devote a few moments in studying their case. 
Many causes are assigned for the gradual falling oil' in their sales each year but (1) 
perhaps none is more perceptibly felt than the determination of most of our wealth- 
ier citizens to economize, and of course all luxuries must be cut off' first. This in- 
cludes the small outlay annually devoted to decorating the lawn and flower garden, 
together with an occasional purchase of a few flowers to brighten up the home; and 
as the small contributions of the many is what makes up the sum total of the florist, 
we see very readily one great reason for the decline in business. (2.) Another po- 
tent reason, is the great number of plant and tree producers who have over reached, 
as it were, in their desire to do a good business, and each year have fell short a little 
of meeting their current expenses; all these, as a result, must, sooner or later, close 
out their business, and when they do, their stock is usually sold for What it will 
bring, regardless of its worth or cost. (3.) Again, in all large towns, there are a 
large number of market gardeners who, with a smallgreenhouse and a few hotbeds, 
skillfully handled, can produce, without any extra expense, a large quantity of all 
the commoner kinds of plants, which are also the popular varieties for house or gar- 
den culture; and as their time does not seem to be of any special value to them, (for 
this work is done when there is nothing else to do,) they can place on the market an 
immense stock, that must be sold at some price, which is usually much less than it 
would actually cost a regular grower to produce. 
Now, all practical florists know that the ratio of cost between heating and opera- 
ting, say three greenhouses and twenty, is always in favor of the larger number; or, 
if it costs six dollars to produce one hundred plants in an establishment of twenty 
houses, it would cost at least ten dollars to produce the same in a small establish- 
ment of only three houses; provided, of course, all the houses have been construct- 
ed on the most approved principle, both in reference to fuel and heat, or convenience 
and economy of labor. Let us now apply the foregoing facts to the whole class of 
plant producers, and the conviction at once presents itself, that the outlook to the 
florist of limited means, in America, is most discouraging for a successful business 
future; for it will hardly require any great foresight to see the result of this system 
of doing business, must end in the retirement from the trade, of all those who em- 
ploy from one to five men and heat from 500 to 5,000 square feet of glass, and in a 
small way now are doing a prosperous wholesale business. We think it is plain to 
be seen that the wholesale plant business (which is the only desirable part of the bu- 
siness) will soon pass exclusively into the hands of a few careful and large propaga- 
tors, who employ from twenty to forty, or more, men, and heat 5,000, and upwards 
square feet of glass; and they will supply all our retail dealers in towns of from 
12,000 to 20,000 inhabitants with small plants, in February, March, or even April, at 
very much lower figures than it will actually cost to heat the houses during the 
three preceding months. A careful study of the business has convinced us that one 
person with one or, perhaps, two small houses, of about 500 square feet of glass, 
can supply the entire wants of people in towns of 20,000 inhabitants, or less, and by 
hard work and economy can make a fair living, but there the profit will end. 
Perhaps we should make an indefinite point a little more clear, by saying the 
title of florist does not belong to the plant producer, but, correctly speaking, rather 
to the retail dealer in cut flowers, whose trade being almost exclusively in bouquets, 
floral designs, or even cut flowers, depends upon his ability to build up a trade, by 
making friends and customers and holding them. Only a small portion of these 
florists grow enough flowers during winter to meet their wants, but purchase their 
supply from some of the large wholesale producers. 
But we are pleased to note the fact that if the plant grower does not seem to pros- 
per in his business, and each year his sales grow less, it is not because our people are 
insensible to the beauties of choice trees, rare plants, exquisite ferns, or strange 
and lovely flowers; but, rather, they prefer to spend a day, or even an occasional 
hour, in some of the public gardens, squares or parks, where not only all these de- 
sired objects are collected together in large quantities, but added to their numbers is 
the wondeful effect of systematic, scientific (if you please) grouping. This we call 
landscape gardening, and very much regret so small a portion of our people seem to 
appreciate its wonderful beauties. Undoubtedly a cool, fresh and invigorating air, 
with pleasant drives and walks, are indispensable to the full measure of en joyment 
in these public resorts; still, the trees, shrubs and plants are the special objects of 
interest, and a carpet of soft green grass is the indescribable delight of the' almost 
