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exchange of bulbs between the Scilly Islands and the Mainland is 
productive of good results as it infuses new vigour into those which 
show signs of deterioration. ; 
The earlier flowers appear about Christmas and from that time 
until Easter flowers are gathered regularly. All are collected in the 
bud stage or as they are about to open, partly that they may be 
hastened into flower and partly that they shall not be injured by 
rough weather. They are placed at once in jars of water in a 
sunny greenhouse or shed, which is usually heated by hot water 
pipes, to open. When fully expanded they are tied in bunches of 
12 blooms each, care being taken to exclude poor flowers and to 
arrange them so that all face inthe same direction. Some growers 
place a little foliage with the flowers but the practice is not a 
general one, for it is said to make little or no difference to the price, 
whilst it increases the labour, and adds to the weight, so increasing 
cost of carriage. e bunches are then placed in water until a 
short time before they are despatched. They are then packed in 
light wooden boxes made to a regulation size for convenience of 
handling. The dimensions are roughly 23 inches long, 16 inches 
wide and 4 inches deep. The boxes are lined with soft paper, 
leaving sufficient to hang over the sides and ends to cover the 
flowers when packed. From two dozen bunches of the larger-sized 
flowers to five-and-a-half dozens of the smaller-flowered kinds are 
packed in each box. The lids are secured with string instead of 
nails for the convenience of salesmen and buyers, and when a large 
consignment is being sent to one place three boxes are tied together. 
In each case the number of bunches and the name of the variety is 
written on the outside for the information of commission agents and 
buyers, and after addressing and delivering to the boat or station 
as finished, the commission agent paying transit 
charges and deducting them, together with his commission, from the 
proceeds of the sales. A great many flowers are sent to Covent 
Garden, but markets for others are found in Birmingham, Liverpool, 
Leeds, Manchester and other towns. 
The boxes are never returned but are sold with the flowers. 
rate of £15 per thousand boxes, an increase it is said, of between 
£3 and £4 a thousand within the last year. 
