Page:The Tales of a Traveller.djvu/84

72 carrying the mountain to Mohammed. This innovation in greenhouse construction was a success from the start. Mr. Staehlin's Carnations are among the best brought to the Detroit market, and his Sweet Peas, which he grew for a few years, enhanced his reputation as a grower of splendid ability. About three years ago he grew a house of Tomatoes, and this enterprise, it is said, brought him excellent returns.

But Mr. Staehlin saw the possibilities in Rose growing; and seeing the possibilities, he was prompt to act. In addition to his already extensive place, he erected a range of four houses, each four hundred feet long, built of iron and cement, exclusively for Rose growing purposes. As with Carnations, his success with Roses is fully assured, and the Detroit market is thereby somewhat though not fully relieved.

Thomas Browne of Greenfield, Mich., within two miles of Mr. Staehlin, has but recently erected two additional houses, each six hundred by seventy feet. This is but an addition to the already immense place which Mr. Browne has built up from time to time. The reader may easily conceive the immense quantities of stock which Mr. Browne produces in his mammoth establishment. Besides Carnations and Sweet Peas, in which he specializes, he plants seventy-five thousand Chrysanthemums; and in the Spring he markets about a hundred and fifty thousand Geraniums.

Both Mr. Browne and Mr. Staehlin have made rapid strides in floriculture.

The thriving city of Mt. Clemens offers many attractions to the visitors. In the first place, it is but twenty miles from Detroit, and is reached by trolley service that runs on half hour schedule. To me Mt. Clemens always appears as a hustling, thriving suburb of the great city of Detroit itself. It seems to partake of the spirit of the metropolis, and shows remarkable progress along all lines. The city of Mt. Clemens is perhaps best known for its hotels and bathhouses, which attract numerous visitors at all times from all sections of the United States. It always gives me great pleasure to visit this town. For here, too, I have made friends.

Until lately, there have been no retail florist stores in Mt. Clemens. About two years ago, Mr. John Carey opened one, as an adjunct to his wholesale trade; and from all accounts he is doing well.

The flowers grown in Mt. Clemens go to the Michigan Cut Flower Exchange in Detroit. In fact, two of the Mt. Clemens florists, namely, Robert Klagge and Fred Breitmeyer of the Breitmeyer Floral Company, are interested in that remarkably successful institution, which under the able management of Robert M. Rahaley has made such wonderful progress within the past few years.

Robert Klagge, at one time known as the Violet king of that section, has in recent years centered his attention upon Lily of the Valley, and is now the largest Lily of the Valley grower in Michigan. But besides Valley, he grows an immense quantity of French and Holland bulbous stock, and is quite successful with his Roses and Carnations.

Fred Breitmeyer of the Breitmeyer Floral Company, is centering his entire attention upon Roses, believing in specialization as the indispensable factor in unqualified success. Among other Roses, he finds Jonathon Mack one of the best for Summer culture. It is said that Mr. Fred Breitmeyer has discovered a gem in the way of a sport among his Ophelia Roses. It is a clear pink Ophelia. The growers will await with interest the result of Mr. Breitmeyer's discovery.

August von Boeslager, as his name indicates, comes from a noble family in Germany. In his native land, it is said, he mingled with the "upper ten." But in this country he became imbued with the democratic spirit, and put his abilities and energy to good use. He became a florist, and a very successful florist indeed. His greenhouse range on North Gratiot street, in Mt. Clemens, is one of the