Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-09-18
WHERE FLOWERS GROW.
ASTORIA, LONG ISLAND, A LAND or
BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS.

houses which suppIy New York with
Flowers and PIants-Tho Problems Of
Forcing and capitalization.
To one in search of poesy or anything
above the dull level of the commonplace,
probably the last spot which would sug-
gest itself as likely TO yield it would be
the typical prosaic Long Island town.
Yet one OF these, and one of the most
prosaic at that, is-paradoxical as II may
appear--a veritable land Of flowers. As.
toria teens with lovely, though hidden
blooms.
If the flowers which the florists jealous
care covers from the Indictment weather
were left exposed, they would spread
over thousands of acres, and make OF the
little town garden of loveliness.
For eight months in the year the daily
supply of flowers TO this city amounts to
$4,000 worth, while on special occasions,
such as Easter and other holidays, the
amount Is nearly doubled, and the greater
part OF this supply comes from Long
Island
The largest of the Astoria nurseries
stands just within the limits of the vii |
lage. The wide expanse of turf around |
1t Is dotted with no less than thirty-one |
! greenhouses, whose glistening roofs com
prise some 1000 square feet of glass.
The naturalization of plants to form
new specimens Is in no small measure
dependent ON chance The method EN-
ployed is in itself simple, and consists Of
busting the pollen from the bloom of one
plant upon the stigma of the other, the
result being flower partaking of the
characters of both The incidental cir.
cumstances, however, are almost impos-
sible to regulate. save by scientific ap.
pication and the minutest care. The
selection of two plants which are liable
to join, is, in itself, a test of the fioricult.
urists skill and this being achieved, the
temperature must be regulated to the
convenience Of the plants, and the dry
ness or moisture of the atmosphere care
fully watched. Yet, in spite of all pre-.
cautions, and for no apparent reason. tho
attempted LIBERALIZATION is often fail.
, ure. Some of the best discoveries ever
made in this branch of horticulture have
, been brought about accidentally, tina
beautiful chrysanthemum called Mrs.
: Alpheus Hardy being the result Of one OF
r these fortunate blunders.
} FORCING BLOSSOMS AND FRUIT.
Another problem which has from time
: immemorial busted the nurserymen il
/; the question of producing blooms or fruit
( at stated periods by forcing, in defiance
d Of natural laws, and although this has
a not yet been reduced to certain law,
a important improvements have been
f made. A slillful gardener can, hy the
q regulation of heat, moisture and ferti-
! lizers, considerably advance or rctard
i the production Of any plant. In Japan.
n where Horticulture has attained TO scien
IL tiiic heights "a yet unknown in America
Il the precise day can be fixed for the bios,
n soming or fruition.
= Only vast experience can foretell tho
n degree Of heat necessary toa plant, and ia
~ all nurseries the greatest precautions are
utilized to insure success. In the uurscr-
l. les referred To, more than 40 900 feet of
y pipe are used for heating. while a wind
n mill pumps 10000 gallons of water daily
i for use in the hothouses. The regulation
\ of heat varies with the nature of the
n plant The difference of temperature be-
N tween individual lighthouses is marked:
n FOR, while in one there will he 100 dtgs.
"a or more of dry, parching heat, the next
?. will be almost cold, and the air of another
, may he heavy with u moist heat which
r turns II into vapor bath.
10 The amount of forcing also varies with
! different species Of plants, some thriving
. under it and displaying marvellous beau
a ties which they never attain in their
J. native state, while others. like the slen.
l. der Dendrobium Thyrsi1orum, refuse 10
4 depart from ordinary laws and die when
r. artificial means are applied. The plants
n are watercd every day, and in some cases
/. twice or three times day. This alone
q takes up a considerable amount of the
!. workmen's time, but il is not the only
attention claimed by them. daily
n round must be made in each greenhouse
II and each one of the growths Investigate
n ed, certain plants clipped or grated and
n weeds and withered leaves removed from
i all
!. To the florculturist flowers have no
: romance Their cultivation to him is q
!, mere matter of commercial value, and
!. the sight of u florist and his apprentices
n Selling delicate plants by the handful
and pulling them hither and thither al
ways fills the layman with alarm.
MILLION PLANTS UNDER GLASS
Each of the spacious hothouses is de-
;. voted 10 a single plant and its varieties.
! and the whole number aggregates near
2 II 900, 900 plants, This firm handles
!, more ferns than any house in the coun-
" try. and 1t sends out over 100, 900 ferns
annually. All sorts and conditions of
ferns are represented, and from the well
: known Adiantium, or maidenhair, 10 the
! Dixona, or tree fern, which frequently
sells for $50.
The other hothouses contain a pris-
matte graduation of colors. from the pale
, yellow of jonquils 10 the burning orange
of the large amary Ills, and from the daz-
cling white azalea To its richest deep red
shade. OF course, roses are plcntifully
represented: the well known In France
Is here; also the majestic American
beauty. and the newer varieties which
have superseded these in popular favor,
~ the Bride, Puritan, William Francis
Bennett and Mime. Holstie. The fashion
IN roses, like every other, is subject to
fads. and their prices are greatly affected
in consequence. When rose is 1.-THE
rage the smallest part, as II sprouts IN
the tiny pots known as thumb pots, is
worth from 81 10 s.; while later, when
its popularity Is on the wane, the same