Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-04
R0SEFARMINGING GEORGIA
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW
INDUSTRY

horticulture no Longer an Experiment
but an Established Business in Sa-
vaAnah-HOw it is Carried on-ROse
Bushes Shipped North by the Thou
sand-POssibilities of a Great and
Profitable Industry.
Horticulture has become a great in
dustry in Savannah. 1t mas grown fror,
small proportions to very considerable
dimensions, and now there are five parties
more or less extensively engaged in grow
| ing flowers for market in and around the
city. Among these nurseries may be
mentioned Kiesling's, on the White Bluff
road; Wagner's, on the Thunderbolt
road; Aschlstine & Movers, on Lovers
lane; X. III. Tatem, on the Dutchtown
road, and Ohern & Van DWire, ON the
White Bluff road.
The most extensive branch of this in
dustry, and probably the most remunera-
tive, is the growing of roses, or rather the
growing of rose bushes, for the Northern
market. The climate here presents de-
cided advantages over that Of the North.
Here in season rose bush will secure
as much growth as it will North in two,
and even three. At the North the plants
have but four or five months growth.
Here they have from ten to eleven.
A NEWS reporter visited KieslIng's
nursery yesterday with view to securing
some information concerning the cultiva-
ton of rose bushes for shipment to other
markets. A glance about Mr.. Kiesling's
attractive little place showed that "roses
in December was not as impossible a
matter as the poet thought. On number
OF bushes still growing in the open air
were many as beautiful roses as ever
blushed in June, apparently unaffected by
the cold weather.
THE EXTENT OF ROSE CULTURE.
"What is the extent of the business of
growing rose bushes for shipment
Northp' asked the reporter of Mr.. Keis-
ling.
cit is growing every year," was the
answer. sour climate is splendidly
adapted to it, and we have a great adj
vantage over Northern growers. Thou
sands of plants are shipped every season
from here"
"What do the shipments amount top
sit Is difficult to estimate the number.
1t will exceed $4,000 l have no doubt.
Nearly all the bushes grown this year
have been shipped. They go during De-
cember. They are sold to florists North,
and to different parties.''
Chow long does it take the rose bushes
to attain growth here 2"
''One season does it. We are making
the cuttings now. In very short time
they will be set out. They will be bloom
ing next summer, and will be ready to
ship by this time next year."
A PROFITABLE INDUSTRY.
Very fancy prices are secured for many
rose bushes, some being as high as 81 and
81, retail, and they Wholesale from 10 to
30 cents piece. New varieties are con-
stantly coming out. These have to be
tested before it is known whether they
will thrive in this climate. A rose may
do finely in France, or England, and not
thrive here. Among the latest roses are
the MerVille de Lyon, Souvenir de Mad
anne Besthier, A. K. Williams, White Bar
oness, Madame VedOt and Mrs. Jewett.
ADVANTAGES OF CLIMATE.
The NEWS has taken considerable pains
to ascertain if practical experiments have
borne out the theories of those who have
engaged in the industry, and has already
given some idea of what it is, and how it
may be and is being developed. 1t has
before furnished proof of the adaptability
of the industry to this locality. The
principal consideration to be borne
in mind in Horticulture is the
climate. Other requisites of success
fnl and profitable cultivation
besides the climate are the conditions Of
the soil and an experience and knowledge
of how TO grow the rose, which, although
1T is not difficult product, requires
certain degree of care and attention. The
success already attained in rose culture
here may be taken as proof that it may
be prOfitably carried on on a more extern
sive scale than it now is, and the pros
poets are that in few years the industry
that is now thoroughly established will
develop into large proportions.