The Caucasian., 1909-08-22
MONSTER ROSE HOUSE
North Wales, Pa, to Have BID
gest OF Greenhouses.
FOR AMERICAN BEAUTIES oNL Y

Ficrist, impressed by Demand For Ex-
pensive Flowers Among Wealthy
Persons, Conceived the Idea of cuI.
tivatins Popular Rose In Buildino
Covering Nearly Two Acres.
Resembling railroad train shed
more than u greenhouse, a monster
structure of glass and iron tubing is
being erected at North Wales. Pa
which when completed will cover an
expanse of almost two acres and viii
be the largest greenhouse in the wori.t
It will stand beside another green
house of somewhat smaller dimensions
which at present holds the worlds
record for size among such structures.
Both these greenhouses will be devot-
ed solely TO growing American Beauty
roses. one of the costliest of flowers.
Impressed by the demand among
wealthy society people for roses of the
most expensive nature, several New
York florists few years ago began
the cultivation of American Beauty
roses on a fiftyfour acre tract on the
western outskirts Of North Wales.
These roses at the height of the social
season. from Christmas until after
Easter, are sold ut Sc to SIS a dozen.
A single plant under the dollhouse fore
ing process produces about a half doz-
en- first class blooms in Il season.
One florist concluded that instead of
following the old time plan of having
a number Of greenhouses G;f ordinary
size. a great saving in the matter Of
the cost of material and of the subse-
quent heating of the building could be
Effected by erecting one large struc-
ture
Seven Hundred Feet Long.
But. owing TO the frail character of
the construction, builders shook their
heaGs when it was proposed to put up
a greenhouse $50 feet broad and al
most fenr times that long Finally a
daring contractor was induced to uD-
dertake the work. So successful was
the outcome that the projectors OF
the enterprise are now about to outdo
themselves By building still larger
greenhouse The one that has been iu
use for two years Is 30 feet high al
the center. f5e feet wide. 425 feet long
on oae side aud 80 feet on the other
the irregular shape having been adopt
Ell to atford vice southern exposure
The rev structure will be of the same
height and width as the older one, but
will be 100 feet long.
IN the greenhouses there viii be
space for about 100000 rosebushes
The present building contains $4,000
arranged on beds. or benches" a!
gfsts cell them. which if placed in {
e0htinuous row would be two ant
three-guarter miles long. The life oi
the forced dollhouse rose plant is hu
year. Plants are grown from cut
tings planted early in the year. RN
Christmas time they begin to produce
the magnificent long stemmed anC
durable blooms that are the delight q
the society belle and the devastation
of the society youths pocketbook. Th'
plants grow to great height and arr
supported by being tied to wires
stretched through the greenhouse.
thousands of Panes of Glass Needed
The task of building the greenhous'
IS an intricate process. Immense scat
folding. somewhat resembling the seat
in circus tent, is reared, and perchet
upon this the workmen place the irol
framework and the panes of glass Il
position. For the older greenhouse al
most 10000 panes Of glass were need
ed. and Eve freight ears were reduiret
10 carry the glass to North Wales.
The foundation and sides OF th'
greenhouses are of concrete. Pipes 70
the water supply and the steam heat
Ing system form an important part
the plant, for the temperature must p
maintained at about GO degrees al
winter, while water is needed for tn
frequent spraying Of the plants. 70
the latter purpose the older greenhous
has 275 spigots. Philadelphia Record.