442 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



paper, excelsior, string, nails, hammers and knives. 

 Each should be in its proper place in the packing shed, 

 that valuable time may not be wasted. 



The shipping-room used for packing cut-flowers should 

 be located near the cold-storage rooms. There should 

 be no time lost in traveling after flowers for packing. The 

 cold-storage rooms should also be centrally located, so 

 there is little congestion in getting to them during a rush 

 season. Most flower shipping-rooms are equipped with 

 comparatively low benches on which the boxes are placed 

 to be filled. If pasteboard boxes are used, they are 

 usually stored within easy reach, underneath the benches. 

 Where roses are packed extensively for shipments, a sort- 

 ing and grading table is conveniently near the packing 

 table. The roses, after being sorted and graded, are laid 

 on papers with the buds together, in groups of twelve, 

 then lifted carefully and packed immediately. Fre- 

 quently, there are small rooms adjacent to the main 

 shipping-room, where expert helpers bunch lilies-of-the- 

 valley, violets and sweet peas. In many instances, this 

 work is done by women. The business office usually 

 adjoins the shipping room, so that orders may be quickly 

 placed 'and shipments registered. 



Most wholesale plant establishments have an up-to- 

 date carpenter's shop, where all boxes and crating materials 

 are prepared. Expert carpenters are here employed. 

 This shop is equipped with saws, planes and all the 

 appurtenances which make rapid work possible. Fre- 

 quently carts, sleds and other implements used about 

 the range are manufactured by the carpenters during 

 dull shipping seasons, or they may be employed in mak- 

 ing repairs on the superstructures of the greenhouses. 



735. Selection of material for filling orders. In 



