Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-30
CHRYSANTHEMUM BY
THE THOUSANDS

The chrysanthemum season, which
opens about October 10th, and lasts
until Thanksgiving Day, may be said
to be now about its height. These eX-
quisite blooms are everywhere known
and popular. There is much, how
ever to be learned concerning them
of the great variety and the height of
development and perfection which they
attain under scientific culture-that
people generally never find out
A representative of the American
yesterday visited Castle Grove
and through the courtesy of Mr..
Eugene OHara. florist, enjoyed stroll
through the extensive green houses,
several of which are abloom with
chrysanthemums.
1t will be news for most people to
learn that there are no less than tif-
teen green houses at Castle Grove, rep
resenting Ill the aggregate 10000
square feet of glass all scientifically
constructed, ,embodying every improve
ment known. so that it is safe to say
that there are few green houses i'll the
country that will surpass or equal
them. Three of the green houses are
devoted to chrysanthemums, three to
the cultivation of American beauty
roses, three to carnations, two to tea
roses. There is also a lily house and
palm house, while others are devoted
to vegetables The conservatory at the
mansion with its fountain and rare
and costly palms is considered the
finest in the state. a large mushroom
cellar under a group of buildings is
unique feature of the gardens.
Mr.. O'Hara, who has had many
years experience at his business, has
been at Castle Grove one year and tine
result of his care and skill are mani
fest in the thriving appearance of
things. 1t is only recently that any
attempt was made to throw the pro
duct of the extensive green houses on
the market. Ten men are employed;
daily shipments of plants and flowers
are made to New York i'll addition to
what is sold in Danville or at points
nearby. The green houses are the
center of a new and constantly grow
ing industry that will add to the fame
of Castle Grove.
But to return to the chrysanthemum.
This is the reigning flower in the
greenhouses at present. There are
hundreds of varieties; representing
nearly every rare and delicate tint
known, many of the flowers as large
as saucers and still growing. The long
vistas under the glass roofs present a
scene of beauty impossible to describe.
1t might be remarked here that there
is nothing about the green houses, but
ranks with the rarest exhibition
blooms and would be fit to grace any
flower show in New York. Two of
the choicest varieties OF chrysanthem-
ums, which, will be ready for market
about the middle of November, are
growing on eight foot stalks, and
when perfect will be at least a foot Ill
diameter One variety of these, white
in color, is known as the Timothy
Eaton; the other, yellow, as the Col
onel Appleton.
The shipment made to New York
Yesterday consisted of $50 special chrys
anthemums; 500 tea roses and 206 Am
erican beauties. Castle Grove caters
to none but the best trade and many
of the roses shipped will retail at $50
per doz, while some of the chrysan-
themums will bring a dollar piece.
In the cultivation of chrysanthemums
every bud but one is cut from the
stalk this together with the care and
fine cultivation given the stalk Is the
secret of the size and the rare perfec-
tion of the bloom.
An interesting feature is propagat
ing house filled with easter lilies
which will be in soon after the holl-
days. OF these there are 800 Mr.
o Hara is prepared to force $500 mar
cissus 5000 tulips and 1000 hyacinths
and later on 1000 lilies OF the valley.
Now that the green houses of Castle
Grove are in the business commercial
ly they look for a share of the local
patronage. They have every facility
and all sorts of funeral designs and no
matter what is wanted in the line Of
flowers it can be obtained at Castle
Grove