File:Florists' review (microform) (16678048331).jpg

Title: Florists' review (microform)
Identifier: 5205536_21_1 (find matches)
Year: [1] (s)
Authors:
Subjects: Floriculture
Publisher: Chicago : Florists' Pub. Co
Contributing Library: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Jandaky 2, 1908. The Weekly Florists^ Review* 37
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Establishment of Joseph Bancroft & Son, Cedar Falls, Iowa. THE FORDHOOK MUSK MELON. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Philadelphia, are this season to introduce a new musk melon, to which they have given the name Fordhook and which was originated in 1900 as a cross of Emerald Gem and the Improved Jennie Lind. It was raised by A. P. Owen, at Mickleton, N. J., who has agreed to sell seeds to no other seedsmen for a period of three years. The Fordhook melon is the subject for a colored plate in the thirty-second edi- tion of Burpee's Farm Annual and the way in which it is exploited is charac- teristic of the Burpee establishment. An extract from the novelty sheets of the Burpee catalogue will be of interest, not only as showing the character of the melon, but as indicating the selling talk which abounds throughout the Burpee book. ^ "The Fordhook melon resembles Im- proved Jennie Lind in form; it is equally roughly netted, while the skin, showing between the netting, is emerald green. The flesh is very thick, of an attractive deep salmon color and surpassingly sweet to the very rind. It 18 fully equal in flavor to Emerald Gem. Many who have been so fortunate as to taste the new Fordhook say that it is even better—'the most delicious of all melons.' The beautiful salmon flesh, while BO surpassingly luscious, is not only very thick but also extremely solid. The rind, although thin, is unusually firm, so that the fruits carry well to market. There are no musk melons that are bet- ter shippers. The Fordhook melon is most vigor- ous in growth, very early and extremely prolific. The fruits are ready for mar- ket fully as early as the green fleshed Early Jennie Lind. The vines grow vigorously and each vine sets from five to nine melons immediately around the; stem; frequently the fruits touch each other. The melons are remarkably even in size, weighing from a pound and a half to two pounds each. Fordhook ia so 'thoroughbred' that there are prac- tically no fruits unfit for market." Certainly any melon grower would want to try Fordhook after reading that, and a lot more like it, but for fear it may be considered the description is only the word of the enthusiast, there is this paragraph: "Twenty-seven years ago (in 1881) we first named and introduced Burpee's Netted Gem, now the most popular musk melon in cultivation and the variety that, under the market name of Rocky Ford, has made Colorado famous. Twen- ty-two years ago (in 1886) we intro- duced the celebrated Emerald Gem, which has been recognized ever since as the sweetest of all melons, the standard by which all others must be judged as to quality. Of our other introductions which have become standard varieties we would mention Bayview, Montreal, Champion Market, Golden Eagle and Burpee's Matchless. We have been equally successful in the introduction of water melons. The above record of musk melons, however, will sufiice to show that we know melons. BANCROFT VILLE. The fame of Cedar Falls, in Iowa, rests upon the wide extent of the business of Joseph Bancroft & Son. At the date of the last census the count of noses showed Cedar Falls had 7,000 people. The an- nual pay roll at the Bancroft greenhouses is over $5,000, or almost a dollar apiece for every man, woman and child Uncle Sam found in the town at the date of his last count. The business was established in 1876, thirty-two years ago, by Bishop & Ban- croft, in connection with their nursery, but the greenhouse department was soon after purchased by Joseph Bancroft, whose son, George, is now the active man- ager of the business. The first green- house was 30x50 feet and it waa not until 1892 that additional glass was erected. Since then new houses have been added almost yearly, until now practically half a city square is covered and the establish- ment is one of the largest and best equipped in Iowa. Besides the local trade of the town, a general mail order business is done, cover- ing practically every department of the trade and extending not only throughout Iowa but over adjoining states. A portion of the glass is devoted to the growing of cut flowers, but a large part is given to the production of plants for the catalogue trade. Besides wholesaling cut flowers and plants, the retail business includes the shipment of cut flowers and designs to adjoining towns and a general mail order catalogue business in plants and seeds. The spring catalogue for 1907 was an edition of 10,000, which will be some- what increased for 1908, as the firm looks forward to one of the best seasons in its history. A fall bulb catalogue also is issued and at the Christmas season a large business is done in Christmas greens and Christmas supplies, such as bells, wreaths, etc. The accompanying illustration shows the Bancroft establishment with the ex- ception of two greenhouses, which are obscured by the dwelling. These two houses contain 4,000 feet of glass. Everett, Wash. — The Broadway Floral Co. says that business has never been better than at present. The firm is planning to extend its glass area and expand its business in 1908. Freeport, III.—Louis Bauscher says the Christmas trade was exceptionally good and gave no indication of any money shortage. But, he says, the flo- rists are in need of these lively holiday seasons to spur them up after the lulls so often experienced. Titusville, Pa.—W. Bay says that Christmas business in this city .was satis- factory. The volume of trade was larg- er, but the value less, than last year. There was an increase in the demand for cheap potted plants and absolutely no call for fancy price stock.

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