The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-10-24
ROSE CULTURE IN AMERICA.
Wonderful Growth of the Industry in New
Jersey Town.

Madison, n j., October 15-More roses
are grown in this pretty New Jersey village
than anywhere else in the United States.
The rose industry of Madison now ranks
with any of the regularly established bust
nesses of the country
1t is now about twenty years since Judge
Francis 5. Lathrop, William Bryce and b.
V. HoughwOut, three of the wealthlest
residents of this place. conceived the prof.
ect OF raising roses for the New York mar
ket. They had only u few greenhouses,
comprising in all about 10000 square feet
of glass. They found the investment prof
liable, and continued from time to time to
increase their area. A few years later L.
J. Slaughter, who bought the property of
MIR. Houghwout, known as 'Dellwood,"
began to develop his interests considerably.
AT the present time he probably has not
less than $4,000 square feet Of glass de-
voted to this culture. l.. NJ Noe, who has
fine property on Noe avenue, has. like
wise, some 10000 feet, and these two to-
gether are the largest growers III this sec
ton of the state.
The handsome profits made by these men
quickly caused others to embark in the
business, till at the present time there are
some forty firms engaged in this vicinity
in raising flowers for the New York mar
kct. 1t has been stated on good authority
that the houses of M. Slaughter net the
handsome return of $4,000 a year There
are not less than TO greenhouses standing
today, comprising about 100000 square feet
of glass, with some Twenty-Five in course of
erection, adding $4,000 square feet more to
be placed to the credit of the phenomenal
growth. Add to this that the raising of
roses gives employment to at least 200
hands, and means an investment of $3.50,
900 and Il consumption of 5000 tons of
coal, one begins to understand somewhat
the latter growth in this city Of this indus
try.
NJ,A no1a
continues undated till about the list of
June, though flowers are shipped during
the summer months, only in less quantities.
The average daily shipments amount TO
about 10000 buds, increasing at the Christ
mas holidays to almost 100000. This
seems enormous, and vet the demand is
constantly increasing.
The number of varieties raised by the
several growers is enormous. Among them
the American Beauty, IA large, double red
rose, noted for its long stem, beautiful
foliage and exquisite perfume, is without
exception the favorlte, and at Christmas
is quoted at $3.50 Il hundred. The Pere,
bright orange yellow, large full and good
form; Nephetos, purest white large and
double; Marechal Mel, beautiful deep yell
low, very large, full and globular form,
very sweet scented; Nine. dc Wattcyile
white, slightly shaded salmon large, well
shaped, remarkable in color; Mcrmet, fine,
t1eshy rose, large and parfect-are special
ties, and bring handsome prices, ranging
from SIS to $50 Il hundred.
But though the business is exceedingly
profitable. the growers have to contend
against hindranccs that are unfavorabe
In the early part of the season mildcw is
to be confronted, and later the green and
red flies create sad havoc with the young
plants if not eNterminated
This coming winter the outlook is very
encouraging, as the demand is increasing
L. II. Noe has recently returned from Chi
cago, where he purchased large area of
glass, intending to still further enlarge its
capacity and instill yigor in the industry
III that section of the country
There is no doubt that the approaching
winter will net the growers of Madison ana
vicinity the handsome sum of $3.50, 900 as
the fruit of their labors for the current
year. and. as result, will lead to the ex-
pansion of Madison's real wealth.