THE HONGKEW MARKET. 31 1 



strikes down with greater strength on this large plain of eastern Kiangsu than it does in 

 other hilly and more sheltered countries and so, in a way, hurries the fruition of the crop, 

 yet it is not impossible that some fine day we shall see artificial shelters which will 

 thoroughly protect the growing vegetables and permit of their more gradual maturing. 

 Fruits, too, have greatly improved in quality of late years, especially in the instances of green 

 figs, grapes, plums, strawberries, etc., and what has been achieved with success in Chefoo in 

 hybridizing the native grape with its American cousin may reasonably be attempted in 

 selected situations here. And is there any place more favoured than Shanghai, and if you 

 like, the Yangtze Valley, with what I may call imported fruits, and at low prices ? for 

 instance, mangoes from Saigon and Manila, pomeloes from Amoy, the delicious coolie 

 orange from Swatow, the large and small scented Mandarin kinds which grow all along the 

 coast, the chestnuts from the north and the hybrid grapes and pears and apples from Chefoo 

 and Tientsin ? While the local productions of peaches, beboes, apricots, persimmons, figs 

 and strawberries are by no manner of means to be despised." 



An insinuation that Cheng Kee knew much more about game and meat and vegetables 

 than he did about flowers, though he sold enormous quantities of them, led to his complete 

 acknowledgment of the fact, "Now, listen I will give you an insight into the flower business. 

 I will read to you a list of the principal flowers I sell from the first to the last month of the 

 year, prepared for me by the ever courteous and obliging superintendent of your public 

 parks and gardens, Mr. D. MacGregor. This is what he says : — 

 January. — The Lammay, sold in branches with their yellow flowers, and largely used as 



hair ornaments. 

 February. — Joss Flower, Narcissus, Tozatteo, chiefly white flowering forms. Native orchids. 



Azalea branches in pink and red and white blooms. 

 March. — Branches of plum and apricot in blossom. Camellias, scarlet and white. 

 April. — Peach blossom, native violets, Geraniums. 

 May. — Early Poeonia, Iris, Roses and many stocks, as Sweet Peas, Larkspuer and Sweet 



Williams. 

 June. — Poeonia tree known as Mow Tan. 

 July. — Lotus and Pomegranates. 



August. — Lotus, Palaywha (Magnolia Chamapaca) white, sweetly scented flowers. 

 September. — Quai Wha, sold in branches, small white fragrant flowers. 

 October. — Dahlias. 5,000 head of this flower can be bought any day at this season in the 



market. Cosmos and Asters. 

 November. — Chrysanthemums of infinite variety and colour, sold daily in thousands. 

 December. — Chrysanthemum and early form of Lammay. 



" The above are flowers which are generally sold in bulk. Besides these there are any 

 quantity of other introduced flowers such as Poinsettas, Calla lilies. Marguerites, Carnations, 

 Sweet Violets. In fact nearly every kind of flower grown in the most seclusive gardens 

 in Shanghai can by the 'courtesy' of the native private gardener be purchased in the 

 market. The question is ' Who grows them ' ? 



"That's very interesting, isn't it? and do you think that the general public know 

 much of flowers and their seasons ? But I tell you this that all the flowers brought to me as 



