File:Florists' review (microform) (1912) (16064609714).jpg

Title: Florists' review (microform)
Identifier: 5205536_32_2 (find matches)
Year: 1912 (1910s)
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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iTa**', ** ff*-'rt,> .-^'. '■? ^f^T". ->i: y^^ '■'^7:*\,'i: ' \'v*^»'^'* * .■,.-"' ;">v > ■.■■^fT~-"'**i»^! j*^'^V^^ "■'TT*'^v .' : '•. T-^ ^. ^■'■•■^, '••■ July 31, 1913. The Hbfists* Review tl might mention that of 500 plants of one variety bought from the States this season, only a dozen were saved. Con- sequently these trade arrangements must be a big saving to the trade col- lectively, and other specialists in hor- ticulture would do well to give the mat- ter consideration. "Mr. Totty's specialties are chrysan- themums, roses and carnations. The chief part of the chrysanthemum busi- ness is explained above, but I must mention that he distributed Eose Sunburst, in conjunction with E. G. Hill, for Pernet-Ducher. This was a fine business for those concerned, and Mr. Pernet-Ducher was no doubt pleased with the results that Mr. Hill was able to report. Also, we bought quite an insignificant number of Eose Lady Hillingdon when in the novelty stage for Mr. Totty, and two years since we bought in the variety, Mrs. Geo. Shawyer. Mr. Totty worked these hard and practically had the monopoly of both varieties in the States, and could have handed the distributor here a good round sum had he been working with an agreement on the W. P. T. lines. His thirst for novelties can not be satisfied, but they must be tip-top things, or he can not do much with them. To prove this, Mr. Totty grew our new chrysanthemum. Queen Mary, in large quantities last season. The records of this variety are still in the memory of all in Britain, but the thing was a failure in the States, so Mr. Totty offered stock to anybody on his side that cared to try so famous a variety, but few indeed took the trou- ble to write for it. It seems remarkable that the variety every enthusiast here was talking about should be worthless there, yet it is satisfying to know that he prevented our sending out an un- suitable variety which would disappoint our customers. "In all departments of the horticul- tural trade there is a necessity to pur- chase new things from other climes. When these novelties are once on the market in the country of origin, they are promptly purchased by the up-to- date man here, but it is a speculation. They are worked up to the hitch, and if good placed on the market here twelve months or so later, usually at a reduced price. This method doesn't bring any one trader in a lot of money, and but little advertisement or credit. It means he has to be quick in flowering the plant, and spend much money to let people know he has the new thing, or the failures will be added to. In men- tioning these facts, I am not including carnations or roses only by any means; almost every branch of the trade is concerned. Climatic conditions on plants are so varied that it would be of great benefit personally and to the trade generally if these working ar- rangements of testing out new plants were carried out by specialists in de- partments other than my own, and it would create more trade and be an in- ternational benefit to horticulture. "Not long ago Mr. Totty began growing chrysanthemums in a small way, and had quite a small establish- ment. Shortly after the Twombly place was offered him, which was mere- ly across a paddock from his houses. This estate was a model building built by a private gentleman, who thought it father too large for him to keep up. The packing sheds are built in the shape of a right angle, which is really "WHO'S WHO-AND WHY"
Text Appearing After Image:
O. W. McKELLAB. WITH rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, she makes music wherever she goes. That's the way the old nursery jingle had it, and it's almost the same with Charlie McKellar—the only difference is that with a smile on his face and a pleasant word on his lips he makes friends wherever he goes. "Mack" once was known as one of "those Chicago Indians," but in later years he has become one of the most quiet and conservative of business men, without losing in the least the quality of making a life's friend of everyone he meets, even in the most casual way. Hardly ever does a florist visit Chicago without calling on McKellar, just to pass a cheery time-of-day. a covered avenue about twenty feet wide. The houses are entered from this avenue, which is 200 feet each way, and which is used as packing and pot- ting sheds, offices, flower stores, box rooms, etc. A double sliding door is at each end and a two-horse van can go the whole way through to pick up or deliver goods. The gentleman who built the plant used to drive a four-in- hand through, and from that view the plants and flowers in the shed and houses. In the angle are the boilers and the steam pipes go along the roof and floor of the sheds, so that every part can be reached in the winter with- out putting any pipes outdoors. "Mr. Totty has a very extensive re- tail trade besides a large wholesale business. Chrysanthemums, carnations and roses are perhaps the chief items, but anything that will sell is not ob- jected to. Since taking over the Twom- bly houses, the business has increased to such an extent that he has taken over still more houses, also adjoining. Three of our lads were there working among the chrysanthemums, and while I was pleased to learn they were get- ting on so well, I was a bit grieved to be told they didn't want to come home again, except for a holiday and to see the old people. They appreciate the almighty dollar better than the English shilling, and they didn't mind telling, me they possessed more of the former now than they did of the latter while at home. It seems to be a great loss to the old country that these young men should leave it, but to anybody that will work, whether they make headway here or not, there are plenty of chances in the States or in Canada. Money can be made and saved much quicker there, but for one that is comfortably sit- uated here, it may be pleasing to know that I saw no place to surpass home." Petoskey, Micli.—Frank Winans is the successor to W. H. Moses as pro- prietor of the West Side Greenhouse.

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