116 



The Florists' Review 



Fbbbdaby 26, 1920 



at a price which nets the seller a hand- 

 some profit. The price which ten months 

 ago seemed unreasonably high, now ap- 

 pears low. However, it must be remem- 

 bered that the prices quoted then, for 

 stock to be delivered this spring, con- 

 templated every business cost that has 

 developed in the meantime; therefore 

 no money has been lost by those early 

 sales. It is more than probable that 

 had not those early sales been con- 

 summated, the present high level of 

 prices would not yet have been reached. 

 Early sales have reduced the supply 

 available for the late buyer, who wishes 

 to secure his retail orders first, then 

 buy what he needs to fill them. His 

 frantic efforts have no doubt been some- 

 what responsible for the latest price 

 increases. Surely the grower cannot 

 argue that his business, even though 

 secured at a higher price, is more 

 profitable to him than that of the early, 

 dependable and regular buyer. 



"It is thought by some of the best 

 informed nurserymen that while there 

 is an apparently small supply of stock 

 available at wholesale, nevertheless 

 there are in most items sufficient quan- 

 tities available to fill all retail orders. 



"This line of reasoning, if correct, is 

 due to the fact that wants were covered 

 earlier this year than usual and that 

 the retailers have been slow to unload 

 any unsold stock, anticipating that they 

 may need it themselves. The growers 

 have been cautious about overselling 

 and may possibly be undersold, so that 

 by spring it is possible that an actual 

 surplus may exist. If this condition 

 develops and any fruit stock this year 

 is burned, each of us will appreciate 

 more than ever the need of the factory 

 and sales force, or the grower and dis- 

 tributor, getting closer together, so that 

 each may better understand the needs 

 and problems of the other. Close co- 

 operation will prevent many losses. 



Price and Volume. 



"The same 30-inch box still holds 

 approximately 300 apple trees, which 

 only a short time ago represented a 

 wholesale value of $15 to $25, while 

 now the invoice will likely read about 

 $100, Therefore, when sales are doubled 

 it is still possible that the volume or 

 amount of stock used is cut in two. 



"Retail men are thoroughly sur- 

 prised in comparing present stock re- 

 quirements with those of a few years 

 ago. While the same 30-inch box now 

 costs twice what it formerly did and 

 while the labor to fill it has doubled 

 in cost and freight and express in- 

 creased twenty-eight per cent to thirty- 

 five per cent, still, when the value at 

 retail of this box filled is considered, a 

 big reduction in operating cost is seen. 



"It costs less today than ever be- 

 fore to pack, box and ship $100 worth 

 of apple, cherry or other fruit trees. 

 Some price increases are at present un- 

 warranted. 



"Holding firm to a fair price, re- 

 fusing to be stampeded into demand- 

 ing unreasonable prices and, whenever 

 possible, offering a reduction to bring 

 the price to a fair and normal basis, 

 will do more to stabilize the business 

 now and to save the profits which are 

 now being made from filling a brush 

 pile deficit in the near future than any 

 other policy, especially one of over- 

 looking the interests of the planter in 

 order to get the last possible penny 

 now. 



Natural Raffia 



[ After a considerable scarcity, a fortunate 

 purchase enables us to offer at 

 an unusual price 



First Grade, Genuine West Coast Raffia 



This is the kind so popular for greenhouse 

 and nursery use because of its 



long, strong strands. 



Note these' money • saving prices: 



NATURAL RAFFIA NATURAL RAFFIA 



in bale lots of in less than bale 



approximately 22 5 lots, per lb., 



lbs., per lb., 1 2|c 1 7c 



Write for prices on dyed rttffia 



A. L. RANDALL COMPANY 



180 North Wabash Avenue, CHICAGO, ILL. 



I JUST ARRIVED-Our Own Direct Importation 



1 A Shipment of Fine 

 s Quality, Extra Lon{ 



RAFFIA 



packed in bale* of 

 about 220 Ibt. each 



I Single Bale Lots, at 18c per lb. Five Bale Lots, at 16c per lb. 



I F. 0. B. New York; terms, GO days net or 2^ off for payment m 10 days. 



a 



RALPH M. WARD & COMPANY, Inc. 



THE ULY HOUSE 

 I 25 Murray Street, NEW YORK 



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I 



I 



at 

 s 



i 



Bobbink & Atkins 



Choice Nursery Stock, includ- 

 ing Rhododendrons, Hardy 

 Azaleas, Hybrid Perpetual 

 Roses, Herbaceous Plants, 

 Bay Trees, Boxwood and a 

 general line of Decorative 

 Greenhouse Plants. 



RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY 



Mention The ReTlew w hen you w rite. 



"The retailer should be careful, in 

 fact be slow in adding 1 cent to the 

 present selling price. Doubtless some 

 items would better be cut out rather 

 than the public be disgusted with ab- 

 normal and unnecessary prices. 



EVERGREENS 



All Important Varieties 



Spruces 

 Arborvltaes 

 RetinUporas 

 Junipers and others. 



Norway Maples 

 Oriental Planes 



and other tHipular 



shade trees. 



Strawberries— 80 de- 

 pendable varieties. 



Write for catalogue and 

 prices to the trade. 



Jl O. MAWWIgbfc 



zx 



»WHTC 



iSOEi: 



. "Largegt Growtrt of Fruit 7V«m in th* World 

 Box 28. Berlin, Maryland 



"Should we not endeavor to fine 

 more economical means in conducting 



