Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

and light coiorcd flowers. seems the
greatest requirement of the trade.
Niolets. of course. are ever In FAVOR
1t may interest the reader to know that
the California violet is no longer SOLO
to any great extent. 1t is replaced In
the trade by the variety known as the
Princess of Wales
Next to the rose in favor for all 1.-the
year-round sales comes the carnation,
with its rich perfume. The Carnation
Society of, America has done much to
improve this magnificent flower. which
through its influence has had increased
popularity i'm London. One OF the
greatest drawbacks in the production
of large carnations. especially those
forced in the lighthouses. is the tend
enCy of the ca1yX to split down one
side and thus ruin tho flower. Only
the ingenuity of a Yankee could over
come this difficulty by the invention of
an artificial calyx. This is a little ar
rangement of gum paper which fastens
around the base of the flower and
holds il In shape. AS it is of the right
shade of green. it is not noticed by the
customer.
Some florists only use the paper
calyX while the flower is growing and
remove IL before the flower leaves the
shop Others have discovered that
| these artificial calyxes keep the bios
SONS in good condition longer. so they
are utilized extensively the cut
flowers used for decorations. Small
tlSSuC paper caps nave also DeeD de-
vised to prevent roses fr-m opening
too soon. These, however do not seem
as practical as the artificial calyXes
for carnations, and as yet are not in
general use.
X x
The florists trade requires a constant
study of popular tendencies. for it now
extends in I @
Demand Is Greater channels UNI
Than Ever Before. alton 400 The
demand for floral decorations was
never so great. and the progressive
florist is constantly on the alert for
new ideas that will give attractive re-
suits. Philadelphia florist who visit
ed Rome last year conceived the idea
of terra Gotta reproduction of the
ruins of the forum, which could be
used in floral decoration. Representa-
tons of the stones at the top and base
as well as several of the broken pillars
provide receptacles for flowers, and
this bit Of classic art formed an at
| tractive window piece during the past
winter
Even funeral pieces require more skill
ana ingenuity than in the conventional
Pillow. wreath, cross or anchor that filled
the needs few years ago. One of the
most elaborate funeral pieces ever pro-
duced in this country was the floral
world made last month by a firm in the
west 1t was ordered for the funeral of
publisher of a periodical called the
! World, and consisted of an immense
globe, showing the continents formed of
Violets filled in with white carnation to
represent the oceans. This piece has been
extensively photographed and was much
n n rod
sign.
The great annual flower show held by
the American Florists Society in Boston
at the beginning Of this month was in
many respects the greatest exhibition of
its kind ever held in the world. The
| expenses were fabulous and never were
such elaborate preparations made to in
clude flowers from every part of the coun-
| try. One dealer required five cars by
fast freight to handle his exhibit. and a
number of others paid for one or more
| cars by express The societies repre-
senting the different flowers We'd with
one another in achieving wonderful re-
suits from single variety. Large flor
the ynassing of many varieties in a single
| booth.
| Great Britain sent twelve representa-
tives to this show. because the floral
trade between this
English Florists country and Eng
land is afiiliating
Here to Study. more closely than
that Of most other channels. These Eng
lishmen are still i'm America. Before
leaving they will visit the leading floral
establishments in the largest American
cities in the hope Of obtaining new ideas
which will be helpful to their own trade
With The increase in the demand for
| flowers comes an almost new trade in the
provision Of receptacles for their deliv-
cry. Florists boxes for cut flowers grow
more beautiful each season and novelties
must be found to meet every demand
Heart-shaped boxes are needed for the
valentine punches of violets, and boxes
car: ying Christmas flowers must sug-
geSt in some way the spirit of Yuletide
Wrapping flowers in bark is a new idea
much admired. Birch and cedar bark is
used for smaller flowers, while a variety
Of cork bark Serves to protect tie long
stemmed American beauty. Specially
prepared boxes with dead air cells are
provided for shipping flowers long dis
tanceS.
TOmOrrOw-D. 4. II. CONGRESS.