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

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
igi7. The American Florist. 1313
Text Appearing After Image:
TULIP TRIALS AT VAUGHAN'S GREENHOUSES, WESTERN SPRINGS, NEAR CHICAGO. "In conclusion, let me again impress upon you the importance of having every class clothed in definite form; then the exhibitor knows just what to enter and the judges how to make the awards." Vaugfhan's Tulips at Western Springs. Vaughan's Seed Store conducted an extensive trial of tulips this spring at their trial grounds. Western Springs, III., as shown in the illustration here- with. About 15,000 bulbs of the Dar- win and Cottage types were planted, about (30 varieties in all. The season was by no means an ideal one for these flowers, and though many reports of total and partial failures have been heard of this spring, these bulbs on the whole bloomed with less than two per cent failure, and were a magnificent sight when in full flower. The bulbs were planted last October in beds five feet wide and 25 feet long, with six-inch spaces between the bulbs. The beds were separated by alleys eight inches deep and 18 inches wide, thus leaving the bulbs in raised beds, from which any surplus water could readily drain to the alleys. The result was that there were few or none of them rotted. Fertilizers used con- sisted of some old hotbed manure, dug in before planting, and a free dressing of bone meal at planting time. The first variety to bloom was that beautiful salmon pink, Hobbema, or American Lac, a gem in Cottage tulips, which opened May 21. This was fol- lowed by the Crimson Elegans, with its peculiarly reflexed petals and vivid and lasting color. Then all the Darwins seemed to burst forth together within two or three days, the last of this class being Clara Butt. Unfortunately there was a sharp frost just as they all looked so well, and next day, as the sun opened up on them, there were many casualties, particularly Farn- comb Sanders, Suzon, Nauticus and Pride of Haarlem, the outer petals of all being badly burnt. The light and very dark shades weathered it very well and the Cottage tulips seemed to be unharmed. In the Darwin "Reds," Bartigon, Glow and Pride of Haarlem were best, both for color and lasting qualities. Clara Butt, in the pinks, stands out alone, and Gretchen is a delightful pale blush that should be planted largely. White Queen (Da Candeur) is a blush chang- ing to pure white, a unique color and splendid keeper. Zulu and Velvet King are both exquisite dark colors, the former being almost black; both kept unblemished until the petals dropped. In the lilac and lavender shades. Dream and The Rev. H. Eubank were the favorites; the former is the taller, earlier and darker of the two, but Eubank has a perfect shape and a true pure lavender color. There were many varieties of that type of rose color with lighter edge, what might be termed the "Tonnaye" type. The two best were Massachusetts and Baron de la Ton- naye. Mme. Krelage very much resem- bles the former. Coming to the Cottage or May-flow- ering class, here is where we get the preponderance of distinct colors, i. e., yellow, orange, crimson and scarlet, especially the first, a color which is ab- sent in the Darwins. There are also many delightful delicate tints in this class. Mrs. Moon and Gesneriana Lutea stand out alone in true yellows; the former is the taller of the two and both are sweetly scented. Inglescombe Yel- low is also an exquisite flower. Golden Spire and Siuiset, with their golden and red blotched flowers, were among the most brilliant things in the whole trial. Illuminator (really the best of this Billietiana class) was the last of all to bloom, not opening until June 10. Glare of the Garden was the finest crimson tulip in the whole trial. It is not very tall (16 inches), but for size, outline, color and lasting qualities, it is unequaled. Emerald Gem is really "a gem"—the color is a glistening orange scarlet, and it takes its name from the emerald green base, a very brilliant tulip. The Fawn and Inglescombe Pink are exquisite pink tulips, the for- mer showing a little heliotrope and cream, while the latter is decidedly stained orange inside as it opens. Both should be largely grown and should do well under glass. One more that deserves special mention is Fairy Queen, a beautiful heliotrope and yel- low that comes particularly rich and tall if planted in shade. Sweet Peas at Fordhook. Sweet peas were in their prime at W. Atlee Burpee & Co.'s Fordhook farms the third week in June. George W. Kerr, the sweet pea expert, who has charge of the trials, declared he had neyer s§en them better. In a two- acre plot were planted all the choice varieties now in commerce, a number of the new English sorts, and several

Note About Images