History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 45

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 45

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JAMES VICK, SEEDSMAN AND FLORIST.

Sixteen years ago. James Vick commenced the systematic growing of flower- seeds, and in the following year ( 1862) issued his first " Floral Guide and Cata- logue." With the establishment of this enterprise seeds were placed within the reach of the masses, and a new era was entered upon in the culture of flowers. Until within a few years but few flower seeds were growo in America for market. and these were of the commonest kinds, such as could be produced with little care and skill. American seedsmen imported their finest sorts mainly from France and Germany, a few from England, while Holland supplied not only the bulb. commonly known as Holland bulbs, but most of our lilies. Mr. Vick was the pioneer in the systematic growing of flower-seeds, and he is now. without doubt. the most extensive grower in America. After pursuing this course for several years, and meeting with only moderate success, though employing experiencetl seed growers from Europe, he speut a season among the most noted seedsmen of the Old World, studying their methods.

After an extended tour in Great Britain he visited the Continent, and spent con- siderable time iu Holland in and about Haarlem, the favorite locality for growing hyacintha, tulipa, crocuses, and the bulbs known as Holland bulbs. . Frin Aruster- dam he journeyed to Erfurt, a celebrated point for the growing of scels, and here. as well as elsewhere, gained much valuable information concerning floriculture, etc., which he has given his readers the benefit of in a series of articles written in his own pleasing style, and published in the " Floral Guide" for 1873. Mr. Vick during bia trip particularly noticed the effects of different climates, attributing many of his carly failures to ignorance on this point. He returned to his business with renewed energy and more knowledge, and has made flower-seed growing a grand success.

It is well known, however, that all kinds of seeds cannot be grown with profit in any one country. To ascertain what kinds would succeed here, and which of these could be profitably grown, prompted Mr. Vick's European tour, at a great sacrifice of time und money. He is now, however, reaping his reward, and raises many varieties much cheaper than they can be obtained in Europe, and many etter ; and the result is, seeds of American growth are sought by the best Eu- ropean florists.

Mr. Vick's immeuse flower-gardens, in the blooming season, July and August, present a grand display of floral beauty, and tourists make " Vick's gardens" an objective poiut in their perambulations about the " Flower City." Hero will be found, in the season, several neres of' verbenas, the same of petunias, pansies, cocks- combs, zinnias, cete., while lilies and gladioli occupy much more space. A large quantity of other things are grown iu smaller quantities. Most people have a very crude conception, indeed, of the amount of labor and attentivo bestowed by Mr. Vick upon the culture of Howers. As an instance illustrating the above we will mention the system of culture employed in growing the finer kind of petunias- known to florists as I'itanin grandiflora. This variety has very large tower often four or five inches in diameter, but produce no seud if planted in the open

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PLATE XVIII.

VIEWS OF JAMES VICK'S RESIDENCE AND FLOWER GARDEN, EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

PLATE KIK.

VIEWS FROM JAMES VICK'S FLOWER FARM.

ground, and, indeed, bear none in the house unless supplied with plenty of air and sheltered from the raina and dews; and even then every flower must be artificially fertilized. To meet these requirements the necessary buildings are erected ; the plants are grown in pots, and every morning each opening flower is fertilized by collecting the pollen on a camel's-hair pencil, and distributing it among the pistils. It is thus easy to understand why some kinds of flower-seeds are not cheap. Most of this work is done at what is called the " Home place," comprising about twenty- five acres, nearly two miles east of the centre of the city, on East avenue.

Five miles north of Rochester, towards Lake Ontario, and within two miles of its shore, near a station known as Barnard's. on the Charlotte branch of the New York Central Railroad, is situated Fick's Flower Farm. It consists of seventy-five acres, and is complete in all its appointments.

We have given our readers a glance of Mr. Vick's outside industries, and now will present a sketch of the mammoth seed-house, which is unquestionably the largest and best-regulated establishment of the kind in the world. It is visited by thousands every year from all parts of the country, and by many from Europe. Mr. Vick and his gentlemanly assistants are ever ready to show people through the different departments of the establishment, and always take pleasure in ex- hibiting everything of interest or profit to visitors.

In addition to the ordinary conveniences of a well-regulated seed-house, there is connected with this establishment a printing office, bindery, box-making estab- lishment, and artists' and engravers' rooms,-everything but the paper being made in the establishment. The machinery necessary for the various departments is driven by steam-power in the establishment. The magnitude of this institution is illustrated from the fact that it occupies a building five stories in height, inclu- ding a basement sixty feet in width and one bundred and fifty feet in length, with an addition in the upper story of a large room over an entire adjoining block.

The basement is large, and arranged with immense quantities of drawers, etc., for storing bulbs; and here, also, the heavier kinds of seeds, in sacks, etc., are stowed to the ceiling. The heavier packing is also done here.

The first floor is used exclusively as a store for the sale of seeds, flowers. plants and all garden requisites and adoraments, such as baskets. ves, lawn mowers. lawn-tenta, aquariums, seats, etc., etc. It is arranged with taste, and the song of the birds, the fragrance and beauty of the flowers, render it a most delightful spot,

and the remembrance of Vick's store has been borne to thousands of households by those who bave visited this pleasing and instructive establishment.

The second floor is devoted to the business offices, and here also is located the private office of Mr. Vick. The mail-room is upon this floor. and the opening of letters occupies the time of two persons, and they perform the work with as- tonishing rapidity, often opening three thousand in a single day. After these letters are opened they are passed into what is called the registering room, on the same floor, where they are divided into States, and the name of the person order- ing and the date of the receipt of the order registered. They are then ready to be filled, and are passed into a large room, called the order-room, where over seventy-five hands are employed. divided into gangs, each act or gang to a State. half a dozen or more being employed on each of the larger States. After the orders are filled, packed, and directed, they are sent to what is known as the post- office, also on the same floor, where the packages are weighed, the necessary stamps put upon them, and stamps can eled, when they are packed in post-office bags. furnished by the government, properly labeled for the different routes, and sent to the postal cars. Tons of seeds are thus dispatched every day during the busy season.

On the third floor is the German department, where all orders written in the German language are filled by German clerks; a catalogue in this language is also published. On this floor, also, al' seeds are packed,-that is, weighed and incasured and placed in paper bags, and stored ready for sale. About fifty persons are employed in this room, surrounded by thousands of nicely-labeled drawers.

On the fourth floor are roomwy for artists and engravers, several of whom are kept constantly employed in designing and engraving for catalogues and chromos. Here, also, the lighter seeds are stored. In a large room adjoining is the printing office, where the catalogue is prepared and other printing done, and also the bindery, often employing forty or fifty hands, and turning out more than ten thousand catalogues in a day. Here is in use the most improved machinery for covering, trimming, etc., propelled by steam.

The immense amount of business done may be understood by a few facts : Nearly one hundred acres are employed. near the city, in growing flower seeds mainly, while large importations are made from Germany, France. Holland, Aus- tralia, and Japan. Over three thousand remins of printing paper are used cach

116

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

year for catalogues, weighing two hundred thousand pounds, and the simple post- age for sending these catalogues by mail is thirteen thousand i Mars. Millions of bags and boxes are also manufactured in the establishment, requiring hundreds of reamy of paper and scores of tons of pastelward. The business is an arranged that the wrappers are prepared for each State, with the name of the State con- spienously printed, thus saving a great deal of writing, as well as preventing errors.

About fifty thousand dollars is paid the government annually for postage stamps. Mr. Vick has succeeded in building up an immense business, and his fame as a florist bas extended throughout the world, and has been largely instrumental in giving to Rochester its present appellation of the " FLOWER City."

BRIGGS SEED HOUSE.

Charles Briggs, the present proprietor of this establishment, commeneed busi- Dess here as a clerk about thirty years ago, and to day has one of the largest seed heuses in the city. His immense business is thoroughly systematized, each floor being devoted to some particular hranch. Fo passing through the establishment one is likely to become astonished at the magnitude of the concern. His trude in vegetable seeds is enormous; but not to that alune is it confined, as flower- weeds and bulbs forin an important feature. Ile does a very large trade among merchants and dealers, of whom there are about twenty thousand who sell his seeds. Mr. Briggs' pay-roll is very large; the greater number of the employees, however, are girls, who do such work as filliog the orders, making paper bags, labeling, filling, and packing them for market, besides operating the printing presses. The space used for this business amounts to over one hundred and thirty-six thousand feet. Ile bas a large seed store in Chicago, and also a seed farin at Clinton, Iowa. Mr. B. has passed ao active life in this business, and is justly entitled to the rank this establishment holds among the leading seed houses in this country.

We bave given the reader sketches of the rise and progress of the representative institutions of the city, not forgetting the scores of others doing a successful business, but of which. however, a detailed history would be withont the province of this work. Among the florists are, Gould Brus., East avenue; Frost & Co., Plymonth avenue; Crosman Bros., Monroe avenne; John Charlton, University svenne; J. K. & H. Beckwith. Brighton; II. C. Heath, East Main street : H. B. Hooker & Co., North Saint Paul: H. E. Hooker & Co .. East avenue; John B. Keller, Mount Hope avenue; D. T. Lawrence. Monroe avenue; Wm. King & Son, Monat Hope avenue: W. S. Little, East avenue; Charles Long, 98 Francis; M. Newdale & Son, Colvia; White Bros., Chili road, Thurston; T. B. Yale & Co., Brighton. All of the above are also nurseryineo, except C'rosman Bres., H. C. Heath, D. T. Lawrence, Charles Long, and MI. Newdale & Son. Other nurserymen are Chase Bros., G. T. Fish, Jones & Palmer. G. G. MeKinster, G. Moulson & Son, J. B. Norris & Sun, J. J. Peirce, E. S. Hayward, J. De Saint Ange, Josiah Salter, Waring & Scott, J. Wentz. Thomas Wright & Co.

. DEVELOPMENT OF THE MILLING INTEREST.

The first mill erveted in this section of' the State was built by Ebenezer Allen, alias " Indian" Allen, in 1799. It was sitnated a short dis unce from the west end of the aqueduct, near the site of the old red mill. and very near the location of the mill at present owned by Chase & Richardson.

Io 1807, Charles Ilanford erected a mill having one run of stone, below what was then called the second falls, on the site afterwards occupied by the Phoenix mill ou Brown's race. In 1814 a large mill containing four run of stone was built by Elisha Ely. Joseph Beach, and Henry Ely. situated near the site of the present aqueduct. It was afterwards converted into a manufacturing establish- ment, and known as the Hydraulic building. It was destroyed by fire in 1837. William Atkinson, in Is17, erveted a mill on the upper race, having three ron of stone. Another mill, in the same year, was put up by Elisha Strong, Herman Norton, and E. Beach. having four ran of stone, on Brown's race. This came afterwards into the possession of Thurber & Co. One year later, Palmer Cleve- lood built mills with five run of stone, un the east side of the falls. This passed afterwards into the hands of Abelard Reynolds, and from him to Dr. Ourin E. Gibbs. It changed owners rapidly after that, and was finally abandoned as a mill, and used as a furniture manufactory.

Io 1821, Thomas Rochester and Harvey Montgomery erected a mill with three run of stone, on what is now known as Aquerlitet strvet., between the sites of the mills of Joseph Strong and Thomas Krmy shail .-- the " Bee hive" building. Also, in the same year, Harvey Ely built the weil kaown mills situated at the cast end of the aquednet. These mills have had repeated bad fortune, and were burned

out, for the second time, four years ago. They have been rebuilt, and are ocen- pied by Smith, Wilson & Co.

In 1826, Elias Shelenire built a mill with two run of stone; but in IS36 it was demolished by order of the commissioners, to make way for the new aqueduet.

In 1827 the " big mill" was erected by E. S. Brach, Thomas Kempshall. and Henry Kennedy. In this year Lewis Chapin emtoe to Rochester. Ile stairs that the old red mill was then in operation, and in the latter part of the season the big mill above mentioned was completed and began operation. This mill. after passing through various vicissitudes, was changed into a factory, and is to- day, a half-century later, known as the " Bee-hive" building. In the same year Warham Whitney erveted a wiill on Brown's mace, below the falls, containing tivr run of stone. Io that same year S. O. Smith transformed the old cotton factory on the race into a mill, putting in eight run of stone. In the same year, also. F. Babcock built a mill, with four pair of stones, at the lower falls. One year later, Harvey Ely reconstructed the mills at the east end of the aqueduct above referred to.

In 1813 the old City mills were erveted by Erastous D. Smith, near the " big mill," now the " Bee-hive" building. It subsequently passed into the hands of Joseph Strong, and afterwards to Harvey B. Williams. Mr. Williams di-pod of the establishment to Thorn & Finch, aod from them it passed to Suy Jau). Sage & Co., who took it for debt. In the same year ( 1831 ) II. P. Smith erected a mill, with three rua of stone, on the lower race. In 1835, J. H. Livingstone also put up a mill on Brown's race, having four run of stone. In the same year Thomas Emerson and Jacob Graves erected the Crescent mills, on North Water street. Subsequently they passeil into the hands of G. W. Burbank. aml are now occupied by W. S. McMillan & Co. In 1836. Il. B. Williams built a mill on the race near the falls, with four rue of stone, which afterwards pas-nul into the hands of E. S. and J. 11. Bearh.

'The Model mills were erected by Joseph Hall. about the year 1850. Louis Chapio states that there was also a small mill on the corner of Main and South Water streets, where Huntington's store in the Curtis block now is, in 1835. The old City muill was one of the most important in the city. General Beach pur- chased it from the original proprietors in 147. The west end of the building. built over the race, was of wood. which soon became badly decayed. In 1849 4n immense amount of wheat was stored in this portion of the building, and in De- cember it gave way, and over ten thousand bushels of wheat were lost in the river. Some of it was scooped out aud kiln-dried, but did not pay expenses. General Beach gathered stone and timber to rebuild. but soon after, in March, 1850, he was found dead io his bed. Mr. Chapin made arrangements with the execotors to complete the building, and controlled it two years, when, in 1852, it came into the possession of Mr. Finch, and in 1854 was barned. Mi. Chapin then bought the site and rebuilt the mill. In 1866 he sold it to G. W. Burbank, from whom it passed to Lewis Roberts. Afterwards it was sold to G. N. Gallagher and converted into a box factory. I. Smith erected the Washing- ton and Jefferson mills. At that time he was the owner of seven mills, as ful- lows: the two above mentioned. one at Black rock, one at Medioa. one at Meunt Morris, one at Wheatland, and one at Black creek.

The Revere mill on the race was made by converting an old woolen factory in 1837, by E. H. Lyon.

THE FAILURE OF 1839.

There have been two great failures or depres-ions in the history of the Rochester mills. These occurred in the disastrous seasons of 1839 and 1855. Their causes were simple and easily described. I'p to the date of the first de pression. 1839, the trade in four hol all been speculative and anreliable. Fbar wa- shipped to New York with a view only to the demand of the English market in exportation. For a time this state of affairs tan smoothly, millers ai commi -- sion merchants kept the prices continually on the increase, and the result was of course a sudden and disastrous collapse. The anticipations in regard to the Eng- lish and other foreign markets were not realized. The four was shipped to Now York with the value based entirely on this demand, and when extra exertion- had been made, prices bad van high mills crowded to their utmert capacity, and New York was full of flour, down tumbled the price, and Rochester miller -. together with those of other large fuaring centres, were ruined. Very few non interested in the business came through the season of 18;9 with any money in their pockets. The depression was very heavy. The greater part of the wheat had been bought at high prices, even ranging so high as two dollars per bushel, und it was an impossibility to realize the first rost on it. Rochester millers were compelled to begin again at the fist of the holder. The year before the mills had turned out the enormous amount of four hundred and staty thousand barrels

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

The season immediately following the panic a comparatively small amount was manufactured. Ycar by year, little by little. their business came back ; the mills were enlarged, barrels were again filled by the hundred thousand, and the busi- ness assumed its former activity and prosperity. In the midst of this second grand success came the second failure.

THE FAILURE OF 1855.

In the early times wheat from the Genesee valley was transported to this city by means of river-boats. During part of the season. when the water was high, boats ascended as far as Mount Morris. These were flat-boats, propelled by means of poles.

In 1840-42 the Genesee valley canal was built, and then immense quanti- tics of wheat were brought down in that way. The Genesee valley wheat was at that time in great repute, and its fame soon spread over the whole country. The mills were crowded to their utmost capacity during the season, but were much hindered by low water. Yet they manufactured an immense quantity .- very nearly as much as the amount produced at the present time. While, therefore, Rochester flour was at a premium, and Rochester millers fast getting rich, came the second grand failure. Just before the harvest of 1855 a rain set in, and for six weeks there were daily showers. This was the case all over the country. The result was that the Genesee wheat lay in the fields until it sprouted. Scarcely a bushel of wheat' found its way to Rochester that was not grown. The crop was a total loss, and the milling business in Rochester again a total failure.

After the rains of 1835 came the weevil and other plaques, and through the com- bination of all these evils the reputation of the Genesee valley wheat was seriously damaged. From that time to this the greater part of the flour made here has been from western wheat. While the weevil has disappeared to a great extent, and the mills of this city are again receiving splendid State wheat, yet the bulk of the four manufactured here is from western wheat At first what was brought from Obio, and then from parts farther west. At present, though a large quantity is purchased at Toledo and Detroit, the greater portion comes from Wisconsin and Minnesota. The city of Winuna, in the latter State. must be an immense grain depot, as nearly all of the mills procure their spring wheat for the Haxall process from that point. Many have buyers there making purchases for them. This wheat is brought here both by water and rail. During the season of navigation great quantities are brought by water, some coming from Canada across the lake, some by canal, and the remainder by either the Central or Erie roads. About une- third of the whole amount comes by water. The amount of wheat coming into the city from the valley and other portions of the State is about four hundred thousand bushels annually. This is but a small portion of the entire quantity brought to this city, which is over two million bushels. The different brands of flour manufactured in this city at the present time are among the most noted in the world.

The old methods of operating mills and old processes of manufacturing have almost invariably been done away with, and in their places to-day are the finest and most improved machinery, and the best process of flour-making. The old way, however, enabled the mills to turn out a greater quantity, such as it was, in a given time, than now under the new method. but the quality was far inferior. With the new invention, the Hasall process, manufacturing is slower, but the four is much better and more healthful. In these peculiar brands of choice flour Rochester is far ahead of every other city. The flour of this city is sought for with eagerness in all the eastern markets, and while other cities get an ordinary price for their products iu this line, Rochester obtains from twenty-five to fifty cents per barrel more than the best of them. This speaks volumes in praise of the Rochester mills and their process of manufacture. The flour trade in this city is by no means what it was years ago. Then it was speculative, unsafe, and vacil- Inting; now it is legitimate, safe, and firm.

THE MILLS OF TO-DAY. -

It is now our purpose to give the standing and condition of the mills of Rochester of to-day. The fullowing facts and figures were given by some interested member of the different firms, or by superinten lents, and. with but one exception, The figures on the number of barrels were given by the proprietors theinselves; therefore they are authorized reports.

There are at present in active operation in this eity eighteen mills, the most of which aro large and of great capacity. Few of these are at all interested in eu-tom work, but are largely engaged in manufacturing for shipment. Necessarily our sketch of these mills must be brief; still. we give the amount of business done, the number of hands employed i not including coopers). the number of run of stone, what markets are furnished with flour, etc.

THE OLD ELY MILLS .- These mills are situated at the east end of the aque- duct. They were burned five years ago and rebuilt. The present firm is James Wilson & Co. In 1871 they manufactured uver twenty-five thousand barrels of flour, using one hundred thousand bushels of wheat, of which one-half came from Toledo, Detroit, and Minnesota. The mill has five run of stone, and em- ploys ten hands.

MODEL MILLS .- These were erected by Joseph Hall in 1850, and are located next to the Hall machine-shop, on Water street. They are now owned by Wilson & Pond, have six run of' stone. and employ fourteen men. In 1874 more than forty-five thousand barrels of flour were produced, using two hundred and forty thousand bushels of whe.it. Of this quantity two hundred thousand bushels were from the west, having been transported about equally tia New York C'entral, Erie, and the canal. The spring wheat used is from Minnesota. Their sales are chiefly through the South, East, and New England States, and jobbers.

CRESCENT MILI.S .- Thomas Emerson erected these mills on South Water street in 1835. Some years later they passed into the hands of G. W. Burbank. and are now owned by W. S. MeMillau & Co. They have six run of stone. and employ twelve men. In 1874 thirty thousand bushels were manufactured entirely from western wheat. The wheat is transported via canal and New York Central and Eric railroads.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 45

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976