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102 Mr. Zvolanck introduced a number of strictly meritorious varieties, some of which were almost sensational, since it had never been suspected that a Sweet Pea could be brought up to such high standard of size and beauty.

"What Mr. Zvolanek has already achieved, and what he aims to achieve, and no doubt will, cannot lie too highly estimated in the history of floriculture.

Some St. Louis Acquaintances

The great city of St. Louis, the metropolis of Missouri, as I remarked once before, gave me the impression of a modern Babylon, inspiring me in the early days of my travel with a timidity at the thought of storming it for business. I clearly recall my first entrance within its gates. It was a few years before the great Union depot was built. I inquired about a hotel, to be sure not of the highest class in town, and soon found myself comfortably quartered in a cheap hostelry, which suited my inexpensive tastes and slim purse. First of all, it was a question of ridding myself of my timidity. I was in St. Louis, and it was up to me to become acquainted and see what I could accomplish. The late Mr. Jordan, whom I had seen in Boston about a year previous at the S. A. F. and O. H. convention (he was then president of the society), was the man to see first.

And so I called on him. I found him courteous, as befitted the gentleman that he essentially was. His dignity and reserved manner, nevertheless, increased my timidity. I felt instinctively that there was no business for me there. And certainly my lack of assurance wasn't calculated to help me get any. The man who is timid, and whose bearing and manner therefore indicate his own precognition of non-success, hasn't half the chance of the man whose air of calm certainty (I am not speaking of blatant aggressiveness) spells determination to succeed.

My next visit was to J. J. Beneke, now my good friend. It proved successful, and in more ways than one. Not only did Mr. Beneke favor me himself with a little order, but he gave me all the information I needed about other parties, with whom I have since dealt, and whom I regard as personal friends. I should like nothing better than to go on and speak in detail of my friend F. C. Weber, the dean of the retail men in St. Louis; of William Schray's Sons and their late estimable father, who was among the pioneer florists of the city; of Frank J. Filmore, the man with a genius for clever punning; of C. Sanders, who is ever ready to extend a welcome to a visiting stranger; of Charles Beyer and his brother, whose sense of fair play has made them upon more than one occasion actively resent knocks at competitors; of A. Jablonsky, the eminent Carnationist of that section; of John Steidle, the generous host and prince of good fellows; of Otto Koenig, the man whose political achievements have brought him renown, as his business has brought him success; of Fred Meinhardt, the man whose loyalty to the S. A. F. and O. H. is equaled only by his devotion to the interests of his many patrons; of W. Kruse, who believes in giving his customers the square deal, even as he expects it himself from his supply houses; of Bourdet, the excellent plant grower, whose French origin does not prevent him from living on terms of intimate friendship with his Teutonic fellow-citizens; of George Waldbart, whose exceeding diligence well deserves the success with which it has been crowned; of Theodore Miller, the man of altruistic ideas that have singled him out as a man with no selfish motives in his makeup; of Miss M. S. Newman, the lady florist who once upon a time conducted a successful business in Boston, and who for the last quarter of a century has been equally successful in her Western city; of Young's Sons, the old established firm known far beyond the borders of its own State; of Fred Ude, William Winter, W. J. Pilcher, Rowe, Serny, and the Connon Floral