CHAPTER VII. 



COMMERCIAL FLOWERS. 



The general public do not consider the difference in character of the 

 many varieties now grown, but admire them for the beauty displayed. 

 With the Florist it is far different as he raises flowers for the sole pur- 

 pose of placing them on the market from a remunerative standpoint and 

 thus should l>e familiar with their merits and defects. 



Commercial varieties are those which possess the desired qualifications 

 and characteristics to meet the demands of the grower, wholesaler and 

 consumer. 



Those most in demand are of easy culture, growing only to a mod- 

 erate height (not to exceed four feet) and produce flowers of pleasing- 

 colors. White is probably in greatest demand, next comes yellow, then 

 pink ; with a decided preference to those which are most pure in their 

 respective color tones. 



Red and bronze are grown in comparatively small quantities. 

 Form and substance are both given consideration ; those that do not 

 ship well are soon condemned. 



When the stock is to be handled through the commission houses and 

 reshipped to the retailer, the incurved varieties generally stand the 

 handling with least injury. 



As a rule the Foreign varieties do not meet the requirements of the 

 commercial grower. It is imperative they be planted early, selecting crown 

 bud to secure double flowers. If planted in July very few of those from 

 abroad can compare with American sorts. The reason is obvious. 



The Foreign raisers of seedlings, reserve those which produce the 

 largest flowers irrespective of other characteristics, as the exhibition 

 class is most in demand. 



In America the bulk of the plants sold are those having commercial 

 merit, hence those interested, select from their seedlings those producing 

 the most pleasing colors, best foliage with strong, erect stems in pref- 

 erence to size alone. 



The grower who invests largely in foreign sorts, with the expectation of 

 superior quality of salable stock, is prone to disappointment. Inability to 

 plant early, as well as failing to give as close attention to details as the ex- 

 hibition expert can, are the causes of the grower's downfall. 



The length of time required to produce the crop, whether the desired 

 date of flowering be early, midseason or late and the quality of blooms 

 best suited for the grower's trade, are matters which must receive con- 

 sideration before selecting the kinds and deciding upon the best cultural 

 methods. 



As the vigor of the plants has much to do with the quality of blooms, 

 we would recommend planting stock of midseason kinds from 2-inch pots 



