The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-09-22
ronT1 ACRES or pAa1rAs.
A Sight Worth Travelling Miles to See
Messrs. Vincent g. Son Have the
Finest Display in the Country.

On Wednesday last the widely known firm
of Messrs. Richard Vincent, Jr. Son gave
a dahIia show at their farm at White Marsh,
Baltimore county, on the Philadelphia Division
of the B. &. O. Railroad, that made even
florists and experienced growers open wide
their eyes. Novices and uninltiated held their
breath in amazement.
In a root packing shed, or display hall. as it
is called, were collected 10000 magnlhcent
blooming dahlies, including 265 varieties and
almost as many different shades and col0rs.
Florists from Boston, Philadelphia. Wash
ington, Baltimore and other cities declared
that they had not been aware that such great
floral treat was in store for them. When they
entered the hail. which was artistically arrang-
ed and set to bring out the contrasting coioIs,
ishment and delight. They were enthusiastic
both in their praise of the dahlias and the
great work that the Messrs. Vincent have &C
complished as dahlia specialists: 1t was edu-
cational in many senses, showing what an
expert can accomplish as specialist, and how
a floral family can be made to increase and
vary in both beauty and form.
The Baltimore florists knew to some extent
a treat was in store for them, but they were
surprised at the wonderful progress made by
the Messrs. Vincent.
visiting florists. At night the neighbors for
miles around drove to see the show.
Mr.. Vincent went to Baltimore and accom-.
panied his guests to Convention Station. where
they got in big farm wagons and drove to his
farm, abouta mile away. They were taken 10
the exhibition hail. where luncheon was serV-
ed and number of short speeches made.
After the flowers had been inspected they
were driven over the 225-acre farm, returning
to the hall for ice-cream before leaving for the
train. Each person on leaving received large
bunch of dahlias.
The packing room, which is long and mar
row building, made an ideal exhibition hall:
Great banks of dahlias, in myriad forms and
colors, extended the entire length OF the build
ing on each side. Down the center ran
mound of the same varied beauty. All colors
and combinations were represented. Some OF
the flowers resembled chrysanthemums, some
looked like large daisies with pansy petals,
some appeared good enough to eat, and some
carried the mind back to the old-fashioned
dahlia.
The cactus variety looked most like chrysan-
themums; but there never has been chry-
santhemum exhibit that could show such an
extravagant array OF rich colors and wonder
full combination of tints.
The decorative variety also has the appear
ance the chrysanthemum and, while it is
bigger flower than the cactus variety, 1t has
not the startling color effects.
The show variety is q close, full-shaped
flower, looking precisely like well.cared-for
old fashion dahlia. Its variety OF colors ana
shades exceeds that of the chrysanthemum.
Mr. Vincent has three sons who assist him
in the business. He has 40 acres in blooming
dahlias, but not one flower will be Sold The
bulbs and roots will be sold wholesale to f1orlsts
all over the United States. He and one Of his
sons 20 to Europe every year and select new
choice varieties, which are novelties the first
year or two. After that they become STAN
dards. He has now 40 novelties
Mr.. Vincent expects to ship 100000 dahlia
bulbs by next spring. In addition to this
he expects to ship 100000 cabbage, beet
and celery plants this season. He has 10 acres
in cabbage plants and is receiving orders for
these from the South. He has 30 acres alto
gether devoted to vegetable plants.
For winter cultivation he has 81 acres under
glass, heated by six Furman boilers, so coupled
that any number of the six can be used at one
time.
Mr.. Vincent also has 100000 geranium
plants, said to be the largest collection in the
world. He had 100 new varieties OF geranlums
for 1906, all imported from Europe.
The speechmaking in the display hall was
conducted by Mr.. William l.. Amoss, director
of Farmers Institutes for Maryland.
Mr.. Vincent told the guests that he was glad
to have them with him and bid them enjoy
themselves. He referred with feeling to the
fact that one of his sons, who had set his heart
on the exhibition, had been critically i'll, but
was slowly recovering.
Much good feeling was aroused by the
speeches which followed. Miss Mildred j.
Campbell, of Baltimore, proposed q rising vote
of thanks to Mrs. Vincent for the splendid
luncheon.
Mrs. Mack Richmond also said few words
of appreciation on behalf of the ladies present.