72 THE CULTURE OF THE ' CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



CHAPTER XII. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR MARKET. 



The growing of chrysanthemums for market is a ques- 

 tion of s. d. more than anything else, and is a very 

 serious matter for beginners who know little or nothing 

 of the trade. Chrysanthemums are produced by the acre 

 by some growers, being planted out in the open, whilst 

 others raise them by thousands in pots, and try aill manner 

 of schemes to get the produce a week, or even a few days, 

 earlier or 'later than their neighbours. Such growers are 

 keen men of business, and are always on the look-out for 

 any really good, bright-coloured varieties, and are pre- 

 pared to pay a long price for them, too. Furthermore, the 

 classes of customers for whom they grow them differ con- 

 siderably, and the various markets differ as much. 



There is no doubt but that many of the best markets 

 qan take an enormous quantity of first-class flowers, and 

 these are generally fairly remunerative. By first-class 

 I mean good, bright, distinct colours, disbudde'd to speci- 

 men blooms and nicely packed, so that they look as fresh 

 when taken out of the boxes as when they were despatched. 

 Many people grow their flowers well and spoil them in 

 packing. 



Generally speaking, the " rough and tumble " produce 

 is left on the market until the last, being eventually sold 

 to costers at a clear-out figure, thus bringing a very low 

 price to the grower. 



Good Colouring. 



Do not grow a lot of washy, dirty colours, which are 

 neither whites, pinks, reds, nor any other shade ; but grow 

 the best whites, pure pinks, reds, crimsons, gold, bronze, 

 or yellows. These distinct colours are sure to suit some 

 of your customers. Do not grow varieties that want a 

 stick to each flower to keep it upright. 



Again, if you want your flowers to pay they must be 

 good too. Medium class stuff is always plentiful and 



