bedding plants for the supply of the local trade. A few years later they thought it might pay them to try a few Roses. American Beauty Roses were tried, and whether it was due to the soil or to their good luck in finding the right man to take care of the stock, their American Beauty Roses were grown most successfully, and sold readily in the Chicago market. Another house was put up, and more American Beauty Roses were grown; then another and still another were added. In addition to American Beauty Roses, they introduced the Bride and Bridesmaid. There was no hitch of any kind, except in shortage of stock; for they could readily dispose of more than they grew. It was now a question of expansion, and undivided attention to either one or the other of the branches of their business. The Celery field had to go. In course of time a considerable portion of their ground within the city limits was covered with glass. Their success as cut flower growers was now fully assured. The city of Kalamazoo began to expand; city lots went soaring in value, and so did the taxes upon them. As keen business men, the Van Bochove Brothers decided that it would be much to their advantage to dispose of the lots and build a new place upon a new site, outside of the city limits. Today they have one of the largest places in Michigan, and are considered among the best growers in the State.
Other Michigan cities, such as Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Bay City, Jackson, Lansing, Flint, and so on, were fully awake to their opportunities, and expansion became the order of the day. Twenty-five years ago there were but few extensive greenhouse establshments in the State. In the early '90's the reconstructive period may be said to have begun. It seemed as though the people suddenly awoke to the charm of plants and flowers, and the demand had to be met. Such firms as Henry Smith, Alfred Hannah & Sons, and Eli Cross of Grand Rapids; the Roethke Floral Company, Charles Frueh & Sons, Grohman Brothers, and J. B. Goctz's Sons of Saginaw; Bochringer Brothers of Bay City; C. Brown & Company of Jackson; and many others too numerous to mention, commenced to make improvements on a scale that promised well for the future of horticulture in their State.
The city of Detroit, conceded by all to be one of the most beautiful, attractive, and progressive cities in the country, shows its remarkable advance in horticulture no less than it does in the automobile industry. The flower beds in the city square, in front of the city hall, and in the various little parks scattered throughout the town, are features of charm to the visiting strangers. Detroit in this respect may be likened to some of the attractive cities in Germany. The white-wing brigade, or the street cleaners, were first organized in Detroit. And even New York City, a town that is supposed always to lead and never follow, took its cue in this particular from Detroit. But it is not about the charms of the city that I wish to speak.
Florists' Telegraph Delivery Association
As a matter of course, the advance in horticulture that characterized the State of Michigan had its due measure of expression in Detroit. I have elsewhere referred to the Detroit florists as a progressive, alert and cultured body of men. Hence to speak about every individual separately would be superfluous. I have made many friends in Detroit, among the florists. In fact, it is one of the cities that I take an especial delight in visiting. The spirit of fraternity that exists among the florists of Detroit, it seems to me, is particularly strong and productive of good results. Whatever question of importance arises is usually brought up and discussed at the florists' club meeting. Often such questions prove of interest not only to the Detroit florists, but to the trade throughout the country. The Florists' Telegraph Delivery Association has its secretary in Detroit. Albert Pochelon is the man who put that organization on a basis that is unshakable. The
