The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-04-25

The growing OF seeds aud bulbs for
the general and local markets is n
comparatively new field for women,
and one of pleasure and profit. Few
women have taken up this branch OF
gardening, and an expert horticulture
ist expresses surprise that so fertile a
field should have been SO long neg.
lected. Seed growing and hybridiz-
ing to produce new and finer varieties
Of plants than those ut present III cul-
tivation is fascinating work and pc.
culiarly adopted to the artistic gifts OF
womankind. Several women have
succeeded in this line of work, and all
began with little capital and little as
sistance or experience. Study, energy,
watchful attention and specialization
are the requisites for success in this
work. One woman has a seed farm
from which come special, choice
things - notably wonderful pansies OF
n glowing red shade found nowhere
else. One woman who makes a spe-
cialty of petunias now enjoys the dis
tinction of growing the finest petunias
in the world She began her work
six years ago, and in that period has
evolved from the dull colored flower
of old fashioned gardens blossoms
that rival orchids in their delicate
beauty. Others are OF such gorgeous
tints that they look like living flames.
She shades and blotches aud tints tho
flowers in her garden with almost as
much certainty of result as ii she
were using brush and colors. The
cosmos has been developed in another
woman's garden from tiny blossom
into great, satiny flower four inches
across, showing wide range of col
ors.
Hybridizing is source OF steady
revenue. There is constant demand
for better forms and new or finer col
ors of standard flowers, and there is
practically no limit TO the possibilities
of their development. The nasturtium
is old fashioned and common, but a
well known seedsman paid 500 for
one plant in beautiful coloring, and
many times that sum would be paid
for pure white nasturtium.
A small beginning in the seed bust
is better to have an eye to the local
market at first or to select something
that will meet certain demand, all
the while keeping III view some sre-
cialty for the future. There is one
grower who deals exclusively in cacti,
but the demand for these curious
forms OF vegetable life il never met,
and at least one cactus grower in
every city could find profitable field.
There would be distinct field in the
growing of tropical fruits for window
and decorative plants. Most of them
are as hardy in the window and as
easy of cultivation as geraniums, and
their novelty alone is bound to attract
attention. The woman who will edu-
cate people to the decorative value Of
tropic succulents-the sloes, agsves,
semper vivums aud yuocas-will find
herself reeping a ready harvest Their
artistic possibilities are far beyond
those of palms. made common by use,
and most OF the plants named will
grow aud thrive under conditions or
dinsrily favorable to plant lifa
In every state there should be q
good business in preserving the beau
tiful wild plants OF the section and
bringing them within reach OF all gar
d.ns. Certain vines aud shrubs plsnti-
ful in some localities are listed at eE-
travagant prices by seedsnsn ~
choice novelties, aud there Is q re-
munerative field in collecting suah
things for large dealers. II may bs
said on the best authority that . thor.
ough knowledge OF hybridising 10 u.
ways reliable means or gaining 4
! livelihood. - New York Commsrcia