Mahch 5, 1914. 



The Florists' Review 57 



The Truth About Paper Whites 



Paper Whites are now being used a good deal as bait for Dutch bulb orders. The article is demoralized 

 to a large extent as a consequence. But since all florists have not been offered the same bait, it is only 

 right that they should be. And so to convince you that it is not necessary to go to Holland to buy bulbs 

 grown in France, we are going to show you that you can do about as well by buying from good responsible 

 American Houses. 



Paper Whites are raised for the value of their flowers— not for the bulbs. The flowers are marketed all 

 over Europe— the bulbs almost entirely in this country. Now Romans must be lifted every year or 

 they will rot, but Paper Whites are left in the ground like grass— and the longer they are left there, the 

 better they become. This being the case you can readily see that when the price of the bulb is less than 

 the price of the flowers, they will not be lifted. 



The low basis of Paper Whites is about 18 francs, net cash, in the flelds. A good flowering bulb 13-ctm. 

 and over is not lifted for less as a rule. This equals about one-third of a cent per bulb. There are over 

 1000 growers of Paper Whites, ss the exporter must employ a; buyer who gets a commission for his 

 services. This is the best— other methods have been tried, you may be sure. By the time the bulbs are 

 bought and hauled to the packing sheds— sometimes miles— the cost is about 19 francs net cash. 



The exporter deals with the buyers all over the world. He employs hundreds of cleaners, counters, 

 packers and workers, hires wagons to transport them to the railroads, assumes the credit risks, etc. He 

 does this for about 10%. This brings the cost to 21 francs, or about $4.20 per 1000. Now French bulb 

 cases are made from wood imported from Norway or Africa, and cost about 2 francs or 40 cents each. This 

 brings the cost to about $4.50 per 1000 delivered at the railroad station at Ollioules. 



The freight from Ollioules, France, to Brooklyn, where the steamers arrive, is about 60 cents; the U. S. 

 Duty is $1.00; the cartage to New York railroad docks is about 15 cents; Sea Insurance, Loss from 

 Shortages (uncoUectable from the S. S. Co.), Consular Invoice, Custom House expense and other incidentals 

 necessary, say about 10 cents per 1000— making a net cost delivered at K. R. Station at New York, duty 

 paid, $6.35 per 1000. Now comes the Importer's profit- for his selling expenses, and for assuming other 

 risks, etc., suppose we allow him 10% profit- or 65 cents per 1000— so that the final price is $7.00 per 

 1000, f. 0. b. New York, for Paper White Grandiflora, 13-ctm. and up. 



But right here comes the hitch. No Importer can afford to fill an order for a groma profit of 65 cents. 

 So when you buy, say less than 8 cases, you must pay more— a dollar more is not unreasonable. Such 

 being the case, you may buy these bulbs from us at the following prices : 



PAPER WHITE GRANDIFLORA, 13-ctm. and over at $ 8.00 per 1,000 bulbs 



or 70.00 per 10,000 bulbs 

 or 330.00 per 50,000 bulbs 

 or 640.00 per 100,0C0 bulbs 



These prices are net cash upon arrival at New York. If you wish credit and are entitled to it, you may 

 have it at 6% per annum. 



For Deliveries, F. O. B. Chicasro, Add 25 cents per 1000 Bulbs 



Now the above prices are absolutely rock bottom for honest goods. If you get lower prices, the nigger 

 in the wood-pile is probably a mixture in the size, by using SO^fc of 12-ctm. or younger bulbs, worth 

 about 4 francs or 80 cents less per 1000. This reduces the cost 40 cents per 1000. You must also 

 consider the above prices are free on board cars— no "advance charges," no Custom Broker's charges- 

 nothing but fair and square business all the way through. 



All Things Beinsr Equal— Wouldn't You Rather Buy from an 



American House? 



If you would— send us your order. If you don't like us, buy from some other reliable American firm- 

 plenty of them to buy from. If you want prices on other French bulbs, write us. 



RALPH M. WARD & CO. 



THE LILY HOUSE 

 ^^tHowG^^r- 71 Murray St., NEW YORK 



