THE RETAIL GROWER OF TODAY 19 



much by so-called dull or hard times. It is for these reasons that he 

 is, indeed, most independent. 



There are exceptions, of course, but, for that matter, most men in 

 business (especially those in the large cities) don't always enjoy their 

 occupations. The monotony of a daily grind is the cause of it. 

 They are more like machines than anything else, and each year they 

 value more highly as their most enjoyable and healthy recreation, 

 gardening in its varied branches— the very thing that makes up 

 the daily life of the retail grower. To my mind, those florists who 

 cannot appreciate this fact, who cannot enjoy to the fullest extent 

 their occupation, and who cannot become better men because of it, 

 will hardly ever find a fair compensation for their work in the 

 money they get out of the business. 



There have been and are men who have become rich in the 

 florist business, and there wiU be more in the future, but the great 

 majority of successful men are only comfortably fixed, and it is 

 that class which enjoys work and play in moderation, that lives 

 the longest. The man who can acquire that habit is indeed among 

 the richest and doesn't have to live one hundred years in order to 

 have hved a long and useful life. 



CHANGES FROM YESTERDAY 



Those who can remember forty years and more back have no 

 trouble in recaUing the retail grower or florist of the smaller towns. 

 In most cases it was just a matter of existing. There was good stock 

 grown, but for so little money that there was httle chance of profit 

 or hope of settling bills once a month. The average florist and 

 the gardener were on a level with the coachman, and even the 

 retailer in the larger cities had trouble when rent day came 

 around. 



All this is changed. The business of the florist has become a 

 regular business. It has evolved with other lines. In New York, 

 Chicago or San Fraijcisco on the streets where rents are highest 

 you are sure to find the flower shop. Similarly on the main street 

 of the smaU town you notice the attractive window of the local 

 florist. He is one of the leading business men of the town; he has 

 a nice home; he takes an interest in politics and the affairs of the 

 community; he belongs to the Booster's Club; he supports the good 

 roads movement, and, in fact, anything that stands for progress. 

 And if he happens to be a man just starting into business no matter 

 on how smaU a scale, it won't be long before he becomes prominent, 

 for he cannot very well read the trade papers, join a florists club, or 

 the S. A. F., and mingle with progressive men without becoming one 

 of them himself. 



