GROWING FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES 1 23 



but for late varieties the terminal bud will 

 be best. Except in the case of the very early 

 varieties, when there is a demand for the 

 blooms, and prices are high, they should not 

 be cut until they are fully matured, as they 

 will ship better and give more satisfaction 

 to the dealers and their customers. 



Some time before any of the blooms are 

 ready to cut, an arrangement should be made 

 with one or more commission men or retail- 

 ers to take the entire crop of blooms, receiv- 

 ing a certain amount of them each day. If 

 the blooms are good, and you have enough to 

 be able to ship a considerable quantity each 

 day, you will have little difficulty in finding 

 customers for your crop. It is good policy 

 to keep in close touch with the commission 

 man during the shipping season, and always 

 send promptly whatever amount of blooms 

 has been agreed upon, or any that may be 

 required for special orders. Blooms should 

 always be cut and stood in water for at least 

 twenty-four hours before being shipped. 

 The best grades of blooms should be cut with 

 stems from two to four feet long. 



When cut blooms are to be shipped to 

 market, convenient packages must be pro- 



