CHAPTER II 



Cost of Production and Profits 



As time advances, and better varieties, or varieties 

 that are more productive over a longer period, become 

 procurable, it will be necessary, more than it is at the present 

 moment, for growers to keep tab on the yield and returns 

 from each variety or kind. It will be as essential for the 

 grower to do this as it is for the successful Carnation 

 grower to rid himself of stock of Carnations which fails 

 to produce the largest yield of the best flowers. Reasonably 

 accurate records of the yield and cost of production should 

 be kept, the prices being tabulated, and comparison made 

 of the varieties at the end of the season in order that the 

 true position of affairs be understood. In that way there 

 will be an inducement for raisers to redouble their efforts 

 and fcr. growers to become keen selectors. 



The question of the cost and kind of house, such as 

 are found under ordinary circumstances in the vicinity of 

 many of our large cities, has been dealt with in Chapter III 

 on Houses for Sweet Peas. It may be said that the market 

 for Peas varies greatly in accordance with the quality, but 

 if the quality and crop are both satisfactory, a house ioo 

 ft. x 20 ft. ought to produce from $750 to $1000 gross. 

 For a house this size the grower requires at least one pound 

 of seed of the best and most vigorous growing newer varie- 

 ties, or as much as three pounds of the older grandiflora 

 varieties. The cost of the finer new Spencer kinds is as 

 much as $8 to $12 an ounce, and if one is growing for the 

 open market it pays to have the very best; indeed, it is 

 doubtful if the cheaper strains are worth growing unless 

 for a private trade, or for furnishing flowers for certain 



