The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-31

land South and Central America. and in fact nearly
sue countries OF the globe, with the broadly coIas
prenensve remark that they ali abound in magniny
cen. hover gardens and that the love and culture Of
nomels are coexstent with civilization and renne@
lnent everywhere, we hasten on to our special pre-
sen, enem ll foia trade in New York. OF
trade TO be in its most prosperous Condition. our
CITY 10 the gayest in the winter months, and the
BOAST OF no such devotion to Mowers as
the anclents as shown in what is written above Inf
flowers has for years past been steadily increasin1
and by steadily increasing we mean that IL has ex
sums OF money are nn increase In population
mat were unthought OF a few wears AGO
No public reception i complete without the delicate
private parties are distinguished by most lavish dis.
plays OF these noral tokens Of wealth and luxurious
ness. they have become c0nspicuously prominent
feature Of weddings and there is not funeral mar.
tlcuary among the weather classes OF society, but
that the choicest and most expensive MOWERS are
used TO scatter their sweet perfumes over the
unburied dead. Hundreds Of dollars are
nightly spent upon bouquets to throw to favorites
upon the operate and theatrical stage. Ladies wear
mowers profusely as head ornaments. In fact
flowers have become an article, and pre-emineDtly
SO at TINS time, or almost universal consumption.
visit 10 the different stores where flowers are sold
IS magnificent treat Here one sees the glorious
beauty or our most beautiful flowers In PERFECTION.
The following are some OF the varieties OF flowers
used Ia making UP bouquets, baskets, wreaths and
five and six hundred varieties tuDerose, tea rose.
or which safrons, lamarque, taplctOli and red and
white carnations orqaet catapa hyacn.hs IN all
geraninns mignonette, polyanthus, narcissusS
Neapolitan violets, Jonqdls, Tulips, cornellas,
crocus, pansies, mesembryanthemums, chry-
santhemulps acacia, and "a list which might
be extended to almost intending length with
shells and cunning birds that are wrought into the
most pleasing combinations, baskets Of bowers ut
for palace, bouquets ut for queen. The most valu.
able bouquet at present to be seen on Broad
they put up those costing twice and treble this
amount ana baskets worth much more. The prin-
clpal dealers in flowers are William @. Wilson, j.
Buchanan and A. Brdgman. All these have large
nurseries ut Morrisania, each covering less than
feet Of glass. These are the only dover dealers in
the city having nurseries. There are multitude Of
others having lighthouses, as James BUST u Son,
waiter Reid, Kenyon, Hansa, Fitzpatrick, Riddock,
Clark and Fisher. All the other dealers, including
August Brown twho, by the way has an artificial
never fade), Haust Brothers and L. G. Larochelles
buy their flowers, which are grown principally ON
Long Island and In New Jersey. They make up as
fine bouquets. however, as the rest. At place on
Christmas Eve were sold baskets and bouquets OF the
aggregate value OF 500. As stated. also, the ho
days are their harvest times but the trade continues
good all winter till INTO July, fact when the chief
patrons OF our city florists betake themselves to the
The trade for the past year has been greatly In
advance OF what 1t was the previous year, and, ale
ready stated mas been augmentng from year to year.
thousands Of dollars. The dealers themselves know
their own business, but seem to know very lttle
about that Of Others As TO prices there Is generally
q very agreeable unanmity. beautiful buttonhOld
flower such as old bachelors OF ambitious views and
widowers oppressed with loneliness apt to sport
may be had from ten to twenty-five cents according
to the height to which the ambition OF the bachelor
may aspire, o or the depressing depths OF the
from quarter to tenfold this sum, the ascending
valuation rising In the scale Of ascending series as
composed Bouquets may be had for two dollars
and very beautiful ones for ten dollars but six dO<
But our people OF wealth and fashion often indulge
in the extravaganza or rather luxury, Of $500 and
$500 bouquets On bridal occasions these more ex-
pensive bouquets are apt to show themselves. All
the wealth OF flowers and wealth of ingenuity In
the arrangement Of the flowers are expended!
upon them. Flower wreaIhs have all sorts Of
prices, according to the size and expensive
ness OF the flowers employed The acme OF
expenditure upon nowers-a single portion OF them
Is on flower baskets. These are OF two kinds, stand
ing and hanging baskets. Immense ingenuity ~
well as taste is expended upon the baskets, some
pick and quaint devices. Several baskets are fire.
quently found on one stand-that is to say, central
lesser but not less beautiful in their make up, ranged
round this centre. The expense OF course Is gradu-
d BY the .1d eces tine INTO e
composition. AS high as $4,000 mas been
paid for Of these baskets but very fine ones can
to fifty dollars. some beautiful and expensive crosses
also made. There one on exhibition in Brauns
window, valued at $3.50. ON special occasions or q
public reception, large private party, at some OF
the palatiai residences on Fifth avenue or wedding
in fashionable life, are expended the largest sums
for flowers. 1t can readily be seen that In proper
ton as are multiplied bouquets and baskets and
floral wreaths Is multiplied expense. 1t ID not
unusual that thousands or dollars are spent on such
floral decorations Large sums are expended for floral
tributes to favores on the operate and theatricaI
stage. The fine faces set or with paint and powder,
and figures finely moulded and going through be-
witchIngy undulatOry movements IN front OF the foot
lights, have the most magical effect and young men
Just coming into maturity and estates and possess
ing more money than brains are those spending the
most money UPON these floral indulgences How
ever the profits go 10 the florist and such patronage
helps to swell their gross receipts. AS general
thing these "bOuquet fingersn are captrap ring
got up for sensational effect. The sure and steady
patrons Of our florists are our people OF wealth. For
dinner and evening parties for parlor decorations,
for ornaments OF bride and for the solacing accom-
paniments Of the solemn funeral service ladies' how
ever for the most part, are the buyers. Their ex-
quiste taste, artstically shown in shopping, one
OF the natural instincts OF women Is as instnctivey
shown 1t is needed here. An afternoon or evening
call this of the year at any OF our leading
up town Tourists VIII show bevies OF the most bcauti
fu ladies OF our city engaged in purchasing flowers
flowers among flowers.
A great deal has been written and great deal
more might be written upon the poetry and the Ian
guage ascribed to flowers and their refining in
fuences. They the good angels OF this lie. Born
OF sunny skies they beit all places-the church, altar
and tomb, the ball, opera and theatre, the public
party and private parlor shop and store. office and
counting room, basement and attic-anywhere ana
everywhere, all times and all OCCASIONS They give
additional 10y TO the joyful, they soften the rough
asperes of life unto some they give soace. They
FIJI the air with pleasant perfumes and the hearts OF
all with delight.