82 BULBS 



In fact, it comes to this : anything that Holland can grow 

 Lincolnshire can grow, not only as well, but better under suitable 

 conditions. What I mean is that, while there are immense possi- 

 bilities in the Lincolnshire soil, yet, if we are to have dear land, 

 heavy rates and taxes, and labour which is not only dear but none 

 too skilful, we shall not gain much from the advantages we ought 

 to develop. England spends a large sum of money every year on 

 foreign bulbs. Given the suitable conditions, we could grow for 

 ourselves all we want, and the money kept at home would foster 

 British industries. 



It is just the same with flowers. We import fresh flowers of 

 the value of a quarter of a million sterling each year. But it is a 

 fallacy to suppose that these flowers can be produced only in France, 

 in Jersey, or in the Scilly Isles. Here, again, the Lincolnshire 

 soil is better adapted for the growing of flowers than is the soil in 

 those other places. The advantage they have comes only from 

 their earlier season. We could nullify that advantage by putting 

 up glass-houses, which would place us on the same level in regard 

 to season, and leave us with our better soil. But, when we think 

 of erecting glass-houses, we have to bear in mind the existence of 

 local authorities. In their anxiety to raise money, they watch us 

 as a cat does a mouse, and the instant we make a move they are 

 down upon us. To meet competitors on our own markets, we 

 put up glass-houses which are merely shelters, protecting against 

 the climate ; but these houses are instantly taxed at such a figure 

 that the benefits we hope to secure are in danger of being swallowed 

 up, leaving us no better off than we were before. 



While, therefore, the ' immense possibilities ' I have told you of 

 may still lie before us and this notwithstanding the great progress 

 Lincolnshire has made of late years you will understand how a 

 check is put at once upon any new development on which we 

 might propose to embark. It is not a question whether, as 

 patriotic Englishmen, we ought to pay heavy rates and taxes 

 willingly for this purpose or that ; but whether, from a purely com- 

 mercial standpoint, the commodities we grow will bear the addi- 

 tional cost of production thus put upon them, and be in a position 

 to hold their own on the market by the time they get there as 

 against the commodities grown at less expense in other countries. 



Another Fenland grower, who has 20 acres under 

 bulb cultivation, said to me : 



The Dutchmen have taken more trouble over bulb-growing in 

 the past than we have. That is the whole secret of their success. 

 In my opinion we can grow tulips and crocuses as well as they 

 grow them in Holland, and daffodils decidedly better. 



Dutch supremacy in bulb-production is also being 

 challenged in Ireland. Some fifteen miles to the north- 



