Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-29
FORTUNES IN FLOWERS.
Shrewd Men Who Raise Roses For Profit
Near New York.

Especial Correspondence
SUMMIT, N. j., Aug. s.-New Jersey was
leyer in the front rank Of agricultural
States. In these days Of cheap transporta-
ion, although their lands lie between the
Jwo great markets Of Philadelphia and
New York. New Jersey farmers find il
more and more difficult year after year TO
successfully compete with the farmers 81
The west or even Of New York state. Fruit
raising, triicl. gardening and the develop
neDt Of suburban towns and summer re
'orts have been found to be far more profit
ibe lines Of effort than farming
Here and at Madison, not far away,
'hrewd men are making small fortunes In
lowers. Roses are especially profitable,
and the great mass Of the roses taken
Tally and On festive and social occasions by
New Workers comes from these two places.
The cultivation Of roses as a business was
begun here perhaps dozen years ago, but
its marked increase Is n matter OF com
paratively recent date. Although the sun,
ply has increased enormously in the last
three or four years, it has not more than
kept pace with the demand, for New
Workers are Great lovers Of roses. and their
fondness for the queen Of flowers" Ia
growing rather than the reverse
The rose houses Of Summit and Madison
will no doubt now compare favorably with
those OF the most famous rosegrowers of
Europe, and it Is gratifying to know that
In these two places the Americans who
have engaged in the business have kept
abreast OF their competitors N foreign
birth, especially in forcing early blooms.
1t is not so IN many places in the United
states. A large proportion Of the forfcul
turists OF this country are Germans, who
before they came here were gardeners II,
the employ Of members Of the nobility
Flower growing Is among the chief fads Of
titled Germans, and as they are generally
men Of great wealth who raise flowers for
their own amusement and the pleasure Of
their friends only they are able to make
many experiments which would not be
commercially profitable, but which often
result In new and delightful varieties Of
flowers. Their gardeners Of course receive
excellent training, and when they come TO
America 70 engage in commercial foricnI-
ture they enjoy great advantages over the
average American flower raiser, who apn-
orally has 10 learn whatever he knows
about flowers after be has gone into the
business.
Next to roses chrysanthemums perhaps
are raised here more than any other flow
ers. At all events, there Is a large output
Of this beautiful japanese fsvorite every
autumn. Besides there Is considerable
business done In this vicinity in the raising
Of orchids The profitable nature Of flower
raising has become 50 generally understood
in this part Of New Jersey that many per-
Sons have gone into 1t on a small scale, not
q few Of them being New York business
men who reside In this vicinity and have
added conssfvatories TO their houses, where
they raise enough for all their own needs
and have surplus for sale which some
times pays all the expense Of the conseryar
sosy md Turntables ANAL pront besides.
l. G. HRyyoLnA