The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-07-09
Horticulture in Florida.

Horticulture in Florida.
These last few years have witnessed
the commencement of new era of pro-
gress amongst the Anglo Saxon race.
There has been a gradual but general
awakening to beauty throughout Britain
and America. The ugly age of the mid
die of this century has come to an end
as surely as the pseudo classic ages that
i preceded it. When crude colors were
universal and those hideous analine dyes
were more apparent, flowers could new
er be used as largely as now, because
their colors clashed with their surround
ings, and if they were used they were
either grouped formally, or tied up like
one would faggot. But now the ever
growing love for the beautiful has vastly
increased the demand for flowers, and
tens of thousands of dollars have been
spent in Philadelphia alone for Easter
decorations, and there is no reason why
Florida should not send up flowers to the
North, particularly for special occasions
like Christmas and Easter, when the
demand far exceeds the supply; of
course one wants the railway companies
to cooperate by taking such perishable
consignments by their quick trains, the
industry would then get good start and
we might even ship as far as cultured
Boston, or even supply the hog aristoc-
racy of Chicago. What the Riviera is to
France, Florida should be to the United
States, and we ought to show that our
only products are not all comprised in
early vegetables, land agents, oranges
and sand. According to the PHILADELPHIA
Record roses head the list in popularity,
and | think that here is where Florida
might make great score, because roses
, travel WE'LL and the new hybrid teas
have, believe, been worth as high as
$50 per hundred, wholesale. Amongst
this class, according to Peter Henderson,
in his Farm and Garden Topics,'' the
: most desirable are Duchess of Edinburg
: bright crimson), La France eight pink,
s Duke OF Connaught (crimson scarlet)
|, Duchess of Connaught deep carmine),
:, Coquette des Alpes (white), Her Majesty
Ie (blush), and William Henry Bennett
(not yet in market I believe ,--erinson9
nej M besides these Md Cusin, inciining t,
uI5 hOnOrs in England last year. Pierre
er Guzllot also appears desirable variety.
leI Amongst teas Peter Henderson advises
Sc Sunset, orange; Perle des Jardins, vel
II lew; Nipholos,. white, unfortunately not
} considered very free fiowerer; Souve-
mir DUN Amr, delicate peach color; Cor
nelia Cook, white; Marshal Robert, pale
yellow; Belle Allemande, pink Bon
Silene, carmine, and Andre Schwartz,
, NAoi0C CiiLhSon, ~ is SditI, however, TO De
an uncertain variety. To these might be
added Md WiIlermoz, white; Souvenir
d, Elise Vardon, white, shaded pink, and
Md Chadanne Guinnesseau, yellow;
Safrano, Isabella Sprunt, Md Falcot are
fourishing old varieties. New varieties
are being raised every year, and Bennett
appears always to have raised some
novelty both in hybrid teas and also pure
teas.
Among the Bourbon roses there is the
Malmaison, which is everywhere de-
sirable kind.
Then there are the climbing roses,
where Florida might we'll compete with
the north, because they take up too
much room in the green house to be ex-
tensively cultivated. Marshal Neil,
yellow, said to be rather short lived,
Refine Maria Henriette, red, Gloire de
Dion, sometimes shaded orange, some
times pink, Lamargus, white, slightly
shaded yellow, and William Allan Rich
. ardson, might all be tried. Roses, like
everything else, give best results under
generous culture, and in this climate, if
will pruned in early autumn would prob
ably flower better in the winter, besides
, giving better blooms.
Azaleas do not appear to do we'll here,
and if they did, they would not be easy
to pack; possibly they might grow in
!, the northern part of the State.
Astilbe, late Spirea Japonica is un-
likely to pay.
Next in order the PhiLddelphiG Record
puts Japonicas. Probably it means
Canelia Japonicas, but it is new and
mischievious departure in botany tocall
things by their specific names only and
to ignore their generic ones. Japonicus
is only neolatin adjective meaning
Japanese. However, of Camelias the
double white pays best, and l believe
does well around Tallahassee; here it is
fraud. The flowers would require
careful packing as they bruise easily;
when they are sold they are usually
wired.
Lilacs are not likely to take kindly to
any part of the State. Charles Y is, I
believe, the variety most used for fore
ing, and would stand most success of
growing here. Lilies require little care
at first, as they are difficult to establish.
Auratum candiclum and Havusonii are
probably the best for spring sales. The
Lily of Valley, Conallariea maialis, is
unlikely to answer, though suppose it
a., II,