James E. Homans, editor

“ August was unusually quick of perception; quick to estimate the value of an opportunity that presented itself and daring enough to take a risk. Of the three brothers he was the most aggressive, the first to insist on the development of any new idea that promised to be of advantage to the business. ”

“ August was elected secretary and treasurer. His brother, John, who was made president, attended to the Chicago end of the business, developing the selling end, and Adolph had charge of the management of the plant. From now on the success of the firm was truly remarkable. The establishment is now the largest of its kind in the world. From three to four hundred men are employed in the greenhouses, of which there are about eight miles, averaging twenty-seven feet in width. ”

“ Eight large greenhouses, each 250 feet in length, are required to house the orchids, many of which have been gathered from the malarial swamps and jungles of South America by collectors sent especially for the firm. ”