Title: The American florist : a weekly journal for the trade
Identifier: americanfloristw55amer (find matches)
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors: American Florists Company
Subjects: Floriculture; Florists
Publisher: Chicago : American Florist Company
Contributing Library: UMass Amherst Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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J9I7- The American Florist. 175
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CARNATION SOCIETY BANQUET, CLAYPOOL HOTEL, INDIANAPOLIS, IND. what are left are bruised more or less. In conclusion. I would say give us carnations with keeping quality and the old spicy fragranca Use the same common sense in grading and packing as you do in growing the flowers, and I think the carnation will come into its own again. The Banquet. The annual banquet of the Ameri- can Carnation Society in the Riley room of the Claypool hotel, Indian- apolis, Ind., February 1, was a fitting close to one of the most successful ex- hibitions given since the society's or- ganization. The large banquet hall was elaborately decorated with choice palms, southern smilax and lattice work screens all artistically arranged. All the vases of carnations, still in splendid condition, were also utilized. Under the direction of Fred Lemon artistic baskets filled with selected flowers were placed on each table, and together with the masses of color among the palms along the sides and ends of the room produced a most charming and beautiful effect which, when the party was seated, was also heightened by the handsome toilets of the many ladies present. During the serving of the courses the committee furnished a surprize in the entertainment by introducing graceful and classic Greek dancing by beautiful young girls; there were sev- eral numbers, which, with graceful movements and artistic posing, made very beautiful pictures. An exhibi- tion of athletic ability in tumbling and posing by the Y. M. C. A. physical di- rector and his son was another enjoy- able feature. Irwin Bertermann introduced E. G. Hill, stating that he was the silver- tongued orator of the west, which po- sition in the east was held by Robert Craig. Mr. Hill was in his best vein. In speaking seriously of the apparent falling off in the appreciation of the carnation by the public, he stated this to be more fancied than real, and thought that growers would make a mistake to drop carnations and go into roses as many were apparently doing. His firm, in common with many other rose growers, had felt this season a greater demand for young rose stock than ever before experi- enced. He said he felt very optimistic as to the future of the carnation, par- ticularly after seeing such grand flow- ers as shown at this exhibition. He was followed by Irwin Bertermann, who declared the carnation was far from reaching its zenith—wonderful improvement was shown in each suc- ceeding exhibition. He said, judging from the great attendance of the mem- bers from all parts of the country, that interest was not waning, but in- creasing. A fickle public might seem to tire of the carnation for a while, but would come back as there was nothing better or could take its place. The society, he thought, was doing noble work. President Ammann, in addressing the ladies separately from the gentlemen, said it would not be long in the pres- ent strength of the suffrage movement, before all speakers would be able to address a mixed assemblage as fellow citizens. He felt that this was the most successful meeting and exhibi- tion ever held by the society; so many members had come bringing flowers such long distances which showed that the carnation was not by any means on the wane. The flower has a great fu- ture, he added, but along with its im- provement, should also come better methods in handling and marketing, as it was after the flowers had left the grower, and before reaching the public, there accrued needless exposure and other careless methods that were so fatal to its keeping qualities. Hon. Chas. Bookwalter declared there was something about the business of grow- ing flowers that seemed to develop the highest type of men. Just spending a few moments in a flower shop, as he often does, gave him inspiration—the fragrance of the flowers was refresh- ing. He praised the introducers of new carnations, saying they contrib- uted to the total of human happiness. The flower was beautiful in every way and that a pink in a man's buttonhole half shined his shoes. In great earn- estness, referring to the position of this country in the present critical state, he felt that the citizens would meet a man's task with a man's cour- age and stand a united body in sup- port of the flag and peace for all the world. Fred Lemon praised the work of the men of the society and predicted a great future for the divine flower. A telegram of greeting and success was read from Wm. F. Gude, who could not be present. David S. Ward stated he had found great inspiration in the meeting and exhibition. He felt sure there was much to be learned by attending such gatherings, particularly for young men who were just breaking into the busi- ness. Friendships made were invalu- able. He predicted a great meeting in Boston next year. John Dunlop spoke of the great excellence of the exhibi- tion, and then made reference to the present strain \inder which Canada was laboring. A call had been made last week on the citizens of Toronto for contributions to support sufferers

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