THE PBOFITS OF FLORICULTUKE. 227 



is, that although our plants on an average are sold lowei 

 than they are in England, and our new plants at less than 

 one-fourth of the prices obtained there, the business is 

 more profitable here than there. Why is this? the reader 

 may doubtingly ask. Simply that our necessities with re- 

 gard to labor compel us to apply our common sense to the 

 work, and we cut loose from many of the established rules 

 with which English florists are yet stupidly trammelled. 



In two of the leading London establishments, having each 

 about 50,000 feet of glass, the average number of hands 

 employed during the year is fifty. The same quantity of 

 glass would be worked here in a style quite equal to 

 theirs, as far as the quality of the plants goes, with less 

 than one-third of that number. I am informed by a gen- 

 tleman who was for many years connected with one of 

 these English establishments, that the profits did not ex- 

 ceed 10 per cent of the sales. I am afraid that the small- 

 est operator of us all here would soon quit the work if it 

 gave no better results. 



What is true of the florist's business I believe to be equal- 

 ly true of the nursery trade, and it is much to be doubted 

 if that business anywhere in all Europe is so simply yet 

 profitably carried on as it is in the great nurseries of 

 Rochester and Geneva. 



CHAPTER XXXVIIL 



HOW TO BECOME A FLORIST. 



I am often asked the question if it is necessary in order 

 to become a florist to enter some large establishment 

 for a few years, or whether it is possible to learn 

 from reading only. I reply, if it can be afforded, it will 

 be best by all means to serve at least two years in 



