The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-20
AT NEWPORT.
Florists Visit the Famous
Gardens.
An Interesting Paper on
Local Flower Trade.
The Constitution Of the Association
Amended.

feel like brides on n pleasant wedding morn.
The orb of day could not have the hardihood
10 forget those who on the festal days OF his
children make the earth brighter, and who,
when the warmth of his light cannot pierce
the sad gloom OF nigh-broken hearts, con-
tr ibute the product OF their labors, lend hu-
man evidence Of the fruiton of immortal hopes.
The large party OF excursionists took the
steamer Day Star at the east side wharf The
steamer was decorated with handsome lilies
and every ono wore flower of some season
able kind. The HedlyLivsey Band gave
charming concert on the way 10 Newport.
A fine collation. served by Gelb was one OF
the many attractions of the sail. Many OF
the party for tho first time looked on the
varied beauty Of fair Narragansett's shores
Happy and contented must be the residents OF
these plantations, was the verdict OF the
strangers.
At Newport the excursionsts were taken
charge Of by the officers and members OF the
Florists Gardeners and Associates Club OF
Newport, with President A. X. Mcmahon,
John Allan and j. J. Butler as chief direc-
tors. A drive, shore dinner and visit 10
Fort Adams were on the entertainment list.
But il was In visit 10 the private grounds
and gardens Of the summer residents whom
fortune has bountifully blest that the mem
bers of the association saw dreams of lowell
ness come true. The day passed without
untoward incident.
1t is not only in the public discussions that
the members of the society derive all, nor,
in fact, the greater, benefit from these an
nual meetings The private comparison OF
experiences and relation of difficulties over
come is practical feature.
The next convention will be held at Omaha,
Neb, and tho Trans Mississippi exhibition
will be in session. Commissioner Taylor, who
spoke for Omaha with Chancellor Mclean, Is
n bright man in many ways, and though a
strong anti-Populist, many persons noticed
his resemblance to Hon. William J. Bryan.
Mr. Nicholson's designation of the carna-
ton as divine flower will meet the approval
of all lovers Of flowers.
President Adam Graham Is n unique and de-
cidedly happy presiding officer. He can give
as much back talk and do il in way that
takes the feet from under n man on the floor
as Speaker Tom Reed of ene National House
of Representatives.
THE CLOSING SESSION.
Tho closing session last night of tho 18th an
nual convention of the Society of American
Florists was as interesting as any that pre-.
ceded it, although the members of the society
were, owing to the bowling contest slow in
assembling.
The committee appointed to nominate
officers for temporary organization of
florist insurance company, reported that the
committee deemed il best TO wait until appli-
cations for membership in the proposed COM
pany were received before selecting any
officers. The committee was continued, at its
own request. and will receive applications
from florists desiring TO Join the new COM
pany.
Mr.. william Nicholson OF Framingham,
Mass, read an instructive paper on 'The
Carnation," for commercial purposes.
The following paper on tho retail trade
prepared by Thomas i. Johnston, ths we'll
known florist of this city, was read by Mr.
Soabright. In the opinion of all the members
OF the convention, IL was a very eptome of
the condition of things:
1t Is with pleasure we can note considerable
progress In our retail business-a great inn
provement i'm tho quality of all flowers which
we retailers are Obliged to handle. The rose
the carnation and the violet have been of bot
ter quality in the past year. The chrysanthe
mum has l think. reached the climax as TO
size. az tho public is now calling for the
small old fashioned kinds such as we grew in
clusters i'm our gardens. 1t is also pleasing to
note that the retailers do not have TO buy n
growers whole product i'm order 10 get a few
things which he may want. There is, as a
rule. plenty of good stock OF all kinds to be
had about the only popular flower not grown
around here to any extent commercially is the
orchid. However, there is not demand enough
yet for its extensive cultivation.
One thing in which l consider we have
ma ie progress Is the price Of flowers at holi
days At Christmas, Easter aud Decoration
day good stock can be sold by the retailers Mt
a slight advance over popular prices. | al
ways contended that II was n great drawback
10 our business 10 get prices too high at holi-
days.
We have also made considerable progress in
the number and shrewdness Of our street
falSirs. We can boast of having almost ms
many as our big sister. Boston, with no re.
strictions on them. They used TO be content
to buy the surplus or outto-be-cast away
stock of the retailer; but now they must have
selected stock, PEI ifectly fresh However,
don't think they injure Us as much as We
sometimes imagine.
Little progress has been made here in re.
gard 10 quality and price OF stock One price
does for all grades, both rs regards growers
and retailers Tho plant trade has increased
wonderfully. especially at holiday times, good
stock always selling well. There has also been
improvement made I'm the growing Of such
stock as an up-to-dato retail store must carry.
In concluding. would say there has been
decided progress and improvement in sl de-
partments Of our business heroabout for tho
past year, and now that after the :. A. Econ
vcntion we join the number Of cities that
have buen favored with meetings, we hope
the result will be continuous increase finan
cially, socially, etc.
An amendment Co the constitution of the
society. recommended blythe executive commit.
tee, by providing for the addition OF the words
"Gnd ornamental horticulturists'' TO the
name Of the society. was next considered.
The proposed amendment was the subject %
much discussion.
Tho reason suggested for the addition 20 the
nnmc was that 10 woaid make IL easier Co get
charter from Congress. The amendment
was adopted