PREPARING PRODUCE FOR SALE 71 



in the hottest weather. The advantage of gathering 

 flowers in early morning or late evening, as already 

 pointed out, must be borne in mind, for the main object 

 should be to secure them in as fresh a condition as 

 possible, and to keep them so until they reach the 

 buyers. For delicate floral structures the shortest 

 period is a severe trial, even under the best of cir- 

 cumstances, during the summer months. The lasting 

 qualities of flowers vary greatly in different kinds and 

 in varieties of the same species, a character which is 

 well exemplified in Roses, some of the most beautiful 

 of which are so fugacious that they cannot be included 

 in the market grower's list. The least durable of those 

 cultivated are gathered in a proportionately early stage, 

 and this enables the sender to have a quantity ready 

 about the same time in an equal state. With many 

 flowers that are gathered early in their development, it 

 may sometimes be feared that they will not all be 

 sufficiently opened, and to avoid this the stalks can be 

 placed in tepid water for a time, which assists the ex- 

 pansion greatly. In dull, cool, or damp weather, flowers 

 can be gathered and kept with little trouble, though it 

 is necessary to avoid packing them in a wet state, 

 especially some in which decay commences quickly. 

 Wallflowers, for instance, in tight bunches packed 

 closely, will often turn out with an offensive smell if 

 very wet when gathered. If flowers are wet at the 

 time they are cut, they should be placed loosely in 

 small bunches in the packing-shed, so that excessive 

 moisture may drain off or be evaporated from the 

 petals. Full or double flowers like Roses, Chrysan- 

 themums, Dahlias, Carnations, the double forms of 

 Narcissi and Daffodils, retain a good deal of water 

 amongst their petals and florets, but the greater part 

 is easily shaken out if the blooms are young and 

 firm. 



