to give his own business the undivided attention it required. He offered his share to Mr. Hill and myself, and we purchased it.
Thus three partners, namely, the Chicago Carnation Company, E. G. Hill, and I, undertook the introduction of Cardinal. The sale, though not very extensive, proved nevertheless quite satisfactory and the variety itself was by no means disappointing in many quarters.
Other Introductions by Mr. Witterstaetter
A few years later. Aristocrat was introduced by Mr. Witterstaetter; and this variety Mr. Hartshorn bought outright. He did not live, however, to see its introduction. He died four months prior to its dissemination.
The introduction of Afterglow, by Mr. Witterstaetter himself, was perhaps the most successful of his undertakings. Afterglow did well in many places, and especially so in the New England States.
One of the things I could never understand is the fact that a Carnation behaving remarkably well in its own habitat should act so differently with other growers. Were this a general rule, the thing could be easily understood. While Mr. Fisher's and Mr. Dorner's varieties, with but rare exceptions, did well not only in this country but in many parts of Europe as well, most of Mr. Witterstaetter's varieties seemed to act in an opposite way. With the exception of Estelle and Afterglow, all the other varieties he introduced did not fulfil their promise.
A more honorable, painstaking, careful hybridizer it would be hard to point out. In fact, Mr. Witterstaetter perhaps is too critical for his own benefit. He has several varieties on his place today that would unquestionably prove a great acquisition if he were to put them on the market. Many growers and experts have urged him to do so. But Mr. Witterstaetter refuses. He wants to be absolutely sure, and he carries caution to the uttermost limits. But there is no question in my mind that his new seedlings are well worthy of trial by every grower. I have seen a good many varieties in my day, and I think I may safely say that I have learned to know a good thing when I see it.
The popularity of Richard Witterstaetter himself—"Dick," as he is called by his many friends—is not altogether because of his conscientious efforts as a hybridizer. He is a prince of hosts; he is always ready to put himself out to do someone else a good turn; he has a ready sympathy for the other fellow's joys and sorrows.
He has acted as a judge at the Carnation Society's conventions and has won the admiration of all; for his judgment is always straightforward and impartial. The S. A. F. and O. H. has no more loyal member than Mr. Witterstaetter. Surely he deserves the affection felt for him by his fellow-florists!
William Murphy and the White Carnation Output
The late William Murphy is another man that was held in great esteem by his colleagues of Cincinnati, as well as by all others who came into contact with him. I had known Mr. Murphy for twenty-six years, and from the time I met him until the day of his death, my regard for him never diminished. It is no easy matter for a wholesale commission man to satisfy both the consignor and the retail florist; but Mr. Murphy possessed the happy faculty of reconciling both elements, both finding him always strictly honorable in his dealings. He was a man not easily discouraged, and not to be bull-dozed. He always stood his ground. An incident worth relating is the following:
A few years ago Mr. Murphy actually cornered the white Carnation output in Cincinnati for one day, when there happened to be an oversupply, and made
