FLORICULTURE 491 



he should do, it would probably require from $800 to $1,000 for a 

 home. In producing a variety of crops, as indicated above, the gross 

 income from such a place should be at least $1,200 per annum. 

 Practically, all the work on such a place could be done by the owner, 

 with some little assistance from time to time in spring and fall. 



The crops handled should be a general assortment of bedding 

 plants, a small collection of ornamentals such as palms, ferns, etc., 

 which could be sold as pot plants and carnations, roses, chrysanthe- 

 mums, etc., for cut flowers during the winter. A considerable portion 

 of this work can be done out of doors, the plan being to have the out- 

 door crops grown in such a way as to harmonize with the plans for 

 inside work. Of course, a definite system must be followed, and this 

 system will in a measure depend on local conditions. A few hotbeds 

 and cold frames will add materially to the possibilities of such an 

 establishment and will allow the owner to increase his stock consid- 

 erably, especially of spring-bedding plants, which may be started 

 earlier in the greenhouse and then moved to the frames outside as 

 the season advances. (Y. B. 1904.) 



Cut-Flower Growing. This is the most profitable field in the 

 growing of plants under glass. It is most profitable for the reason 

 that there is a greater demand for cut flowers than for vegetables, 

 and while the risks in some cases are greater the profits are corre- 

 spondingly large. The work in this field may be of two kinds the 

 growing of mixed crops, or specialization with one crop alone. 



By mixed crops is meant the growing of three or more crops of 

 flowers, such as roses, carnations, violets, and chrysanthemums. In 

 this field the best openings are to be found near cities with a popula- 

 tion of from 10,000 to 50,000. There is always a demand in cities of 

 this size for cut flowers, and this demand is frequently increased if 

 there are any special institutions in or near such cities, such as col- 

 leges, universities, etc. 



The grower here may either handle his own products or sell 

 direct to dealers in the cities. It is more profitable, if capital can be 

 secured, to handle one's own products. A store in the town or city 

 eliminates the middleman and enables the grower to take not only 

 the profits from the growing of his crops, but the commissions which 

 must be paid for selling the flowers as well. These usually represent 

 about 100 per cent. In other words, the crops which the grower sells 

 to the retailer in the city are sold by the latter at about 100 per cent 

 advance over the prices paid to the grower. Considering the extra ex- 

 pense of store rent, clerk hire, etc., a considerable portion of this 

 profit may just as well be secured by the grower, if he has the busi- 

 ness capacity and can manage the details connected with both the 

 city department and the producing department. 



Moreover, this field offers opportunities for those who for various 

 reasons can not obtain sufficient ground very near to a city. In other 

 words, flowers such as have been mentioned grown under glass may 

 be shipped with perfect safety from 50 to 300 miles, thus broadening 

 the field of the prospective grower. This makes it practicable to se- 

 cure land at very reasonable prices; but in addition to this must be 



