I am proud to say that my confidence in Mr. Pierson has been reciprocated. A number of years after I met him, I had occasion to place a large order with a European house, one that I knew dealt with Mr. Pierson. Among others that I mentioned as reference I gave his name. I received the stock I ordered, and have dealt with that house ever since. Upon my last visit to Europe, the head of the concern informed me that Mr. Pierson had written him to the effect that while he did not count my money, he knew that I was absolutely good for anything I wanted, that I would not purchase anything I did not want, and that he (Mr. Pierson himself) would unhesitatingly sell me without putting any limitation on my credit. I was naturally proud to learn through an indirect source Mr. Pierson's opinion about my business integrity.
S. J. Reuter of Westerly, R. I.
My relations with the late S. J. Reuter of Westerly, R. I., date back to 1890, shortly after the first florists' convention in Boston. Mr. Reuter had already the reputation of being one of the largest growers in New England, and was well known in that section of the country. Although on my first visit I had no knowledge of horticulture, nor any interest in it, Mr. Reuter, busy man though he was, gave me a hearing and favored me with a small order for florists' supplies. I well recall my first impression of the man. It was that primarily of a personality, a man in full vigor of health and spirits, alive to the trend of the times, and even, it appeared to me, one who took time by the forelock. His extensive place at that time, in so small a town as Westerly, took me somewhat by surprise, and made me wonder how he could possibly dispose of his output in such a limited locality. I didn't know, of course, that Watch Hill, the famous resort adjacent to Westerly, where so many celebrities from many parts of the country congregated during the Summer season, depended upon his product. Besides, he shipped his flowers to other parts of the State, and even to Boston. In that period of my career, I always associated a range of greenhouses with the needs of its immediate vicinity; I never dreamed that cut flowers and plants might be shipped to nearby places and even distant points.
Mr. Reuter had already a big business and was conducting it on an extensive scale. My business relations with the firm from the time I met him to the present day have been profitable and pleasant. Years after our first meeting, when I became interested in horticulture, our business transactions became larger. It was my privilege for a number of years to sell to Mr. Reuter, among other things, every meritorious Carnation that appeared in the market. In turn, I disposed of a great deal of the stock of Mr. Reuter's production. Particular about the quality of his own stock, he would always exact that whatever he purchased be devoid of all faults and blemishes, such as plants or rooted cuttings are often affected wnth.
It would be well for growers in general to place the same insistence upon quality of stock purchased and sent out. What a lot of trouble and annoyance it would save for both purchaser and seller! Those who, like myself, have been in the game for many years, can well realize the unpleasant features about the business when things do not run as they should. Carnation cuttings affected with fungus, or Roses covered with mildew, should no more be marketed than putrid beef or rotten potatoes. It seems to me that growers should give this end of their business their utmost care and consideration, and that men disregarding this first principle of business honesty should be tabooed as unreliable. Only such extreme measures will accomplish the results desired.
Like many another progressive grower, Mr. Reuter has largely extended his place, adding from time to time, as his business expanded. Our friendship, which began over a quarter of a century ago, continued till his death. And many a time I have spent an afternoon or evening with Mr. Reuter, in conversation upon
