CHAPTER XII 

 MARKETING 



THE marketing of cut roses must follow approved lines ; it is not 

 wise to attempt to run counter to accepted market standards, 

 and this not because of any stupid conservatism on the part of the 

 salesmen, but primarily for the convenience of buyers. Packed 

 a la mode the buyer can see at a glance and without handling what 

 a package contains. He has no time for the minute inspection of his 

 purchases indeed, the best buyers, knowing exactly what they 

 want even before they leave their homes, pass through the market 

 like flashes, and are gone again before the crowd of ordinary buyers 

 have left their beds ; and when they have passed the cream of the 

 market has been skimmed off. 



Cut roses must be graded. The best blooms should be less than 

 half opened, possess long stalks, well furnished with foliage, and 

 be packed singly in rows of a dozen. Seconds should be similar 

 stuff, perhaps a little more expanded or slightly inferior in quality 

 or size, also cut long, with foliage, and bunched in half dozens. 

 Smaller stuff still, with shorter stalks, are usually bunched in dozens 

 or in sixes, according to sample. 



Before being packed, the roses should be stood in water, if only 

 for an hour, but longer if possible, so that they may be fairly charged 

 with moisture, for there are but few things that more quickly show 

 the lack of it. Line the box well with white paper, allowing sufficient 

 to overlap for the top covering. Lay a roll of paper cross-ways 

 near the head of the box upon which to lay the neck of each bloom, 

 that its head may be so raised that no pressure is put on the under 

 petals. This preserves the exquisite shape of the flower. Three, 

 or at the most four, rows will half fill the box, when the packer 

 must reverse it and start at the other end, exactly repeating the 

 process, taking care to so dispose the stalks that they shall not 

 damage the petals of those already packed. A stick fitting tightly 

 across the centre and pressing upon the stalks will hold the whole 

 lot in position and it will be found at the other end of the journey 



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