170 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



assortment of palms, ferns and other so-called decorative foliage 

 plants, stock which will, if not sold for Christmas, be just as valuable 

 afterward. 



Flowering and berried plants are not only expensive, but may 

 be a loss if left over. You cannot say that of an Araucaria, a Kentia, 

 a Pandanus Veitchii, or a pretty Dracaena; such plants well cared 

 for, will grow more beautiful, if anything. On the other hand, you 

 will always find among your customers many who may prefer such 

 plants or a beautiful fern to almost anything else; your margin of 

 profit in this case will be as great. Sometimes, when nearly every- 

 thing in flowers is sold out and you have a nice lot of such plants 

 on hand, there is no trouble in making a sale; but the thing to do 

 from the beginning is to push them as much as your perishable 

 stock. Here, again, a great deal can be done with the help of a few 

 Winterberries, red ribbon and often a red crepe paper pot-cover to 

 make them still more attractive. 



CHRISTMAS BULB STOCK 



There are years when it is possible to have a few red and yellow 

 Tulips, Freesias and Trumpet Major Narcissi in flower for Christmas, 

 but Roman Hyacinths, Paperwhites and Grand Soleil d'Or Narcissi 

 are the standby s. All three are not only valuable, but can be had 

 in flower in even the smallest establishment. (See cultural notes in 

 Part Two.) If you grow these plants cool, with plenty of space 

 between them, they can be lifted with care and used in many plant 

 arrangements. An 8-in. fern dish filled with Roman Hyacinths and 

 a 2-in. Asparagus plumosus makes a fine centerpiece for the table 



Fig. 57. A FLOWER GIFT FOR A WINTER HOLIDAY. Lilies of the Valley are always 



attractive and even without greens or other flowers in a box with crepe paper cover 



and harmonizing ribbon they make a suitable Christmas or Easter offering 



