beauty spots in that town. The cobble-stone wall fronting his picturesque chateau and greenhouses, his very attractive conservatory leading to the range, proclaim him an artist as well as a florist. He grows excellent stock, and is always abreast of the times.
Mr. John Carey never misses on Roses. His crop is always on time, and he seems fully able to guard against all ills to which Roses are subject—mildew, blackspot, and all the rest of them. But besides Roses, he grows quantities of bulbous stock and Carnations, most of which go to the Michigan Cut Flower Exchange in Detroit.
Toledo Florists Keeping Step with Progress
Toledo, Ohio, is within hailing distance of Detroit, being but sixty miles away from it. Some jestingly refer to Toledo as a suburb of Detroit. I question, however, if any city in the country can boast of such suburbs. For Toledo has grown in recent years in a way to ensure it place in the ranks of the largest cities in the country. As I compare the Toledo of twenty-eight years ago with Toledo today, the advances the city has made appear as remarkable indeed. Twenty-eight years ago there were but few greenhouse ranges in that town, the largest of them—that belonging to the late George Heinl, being small in scope and antiquated in construction. Today modern ranges are to be found in various sections of the city; and the progressive spirit of the florists of Toledo is parallel with that of their brother florists in any other city.
Thomas Magee of the Davis & Magee Company, at one time a Philadelphian, brought with him to his Western home the advanced ideas of the East and has built up an excellent business in the residential part of the town. About three years ago, he found his place inadequate to the growth of his business. To meet his increasing needs, he demolished his greenhouses, and in their place he erected a modern range with a store in front that is considered one of the finest in the State.
E. Suder, of Cherry street, has also found it necessary to meet the demands of the times, and two years ago his place was completely rebuilt. A magnificent conservatory, such as one is accustomed to see on private estates, has been added; and the general equipment has been modernized and largely improved.
Harry Heinl, who succeeded his late uncle, George Heinl, has practically rebuilt the entire range. Mr. Heinl grows for the wholesale market, and has made a success.
Schramm Brothers are two young men still in their twenties, who assumed the responsibilities of the old established business by force of circumstances. They are the third generation of the Schramms with whom I have come in contact since I began my visits to Toledo. Mr. Schramm, their grandfather, who had long since retired, died but recently. His two sons, who succeeded him several years ago, died within a year of each other, a few years after they had taken over their father's business. The present Schramms put their shoulders to the wheel, and notwithstanding their youth, they do not seem to regard their responsibilities as especially burdensome. The fine retail business which their parents and grandparents established and built up has been extended, and the young men give every promise of not slacking up the pace that has been set for them.
John Barrows, on Detroit street, an all-around good grower, has fully kept pace with the spirit of the times. Mr. Barrows grows a miscellaneous stock of plants and cut flowers and a large quantity of bulbs. He has an excellent retail trade in his own as well as in other sections of the city.
It is a pity that I cannot take up in detail the story of the progress made by every individual florist throughout the State of Ohio, and elsewhere; but, as is obvious, space will not permit. A good many of my friends in Cleveland, for
