PRICING STOCK 



75 



PRICING 



More important than all the talk about varieties is 

 that about prices, for on them hang all the profits and suc- 

 cess. Be sure and get enough for the stock you sell to 

 cover any losses you may have, as well as your selling 

 costs. Unless you are in a position to know these costs, 

 it is best to set a fairly reasonable figure and let it go at 

 that. That *Tairly reasonable figure'' may be arrived at 

 in the following manner: 



Trees and evergreens: Each price should be two to three and 

 a half times cost price. 



Shrubs, perennials, etc.: Each price should be three and 

 a half times cost price. 



The "ten" rate is usually about ten per cent lower, while 

 hundred lots of plants are usually priced according to cir- 

 cumstances. 



**The other fellow's catalog" will be a help to you in 

 this task of setting prices. 



After you have once established your price hold to it. 

 It is especially true of nursery stock that once you indi- 

 cate to your customers the instability of a price, they will 

 quickly take advantage of it and expect reductions and 

 discounts on everything they need. 



And now, finally, about quantities. Here is where neither 

 I nor the experienced nurseryman can advise. Forty 

 plants of each kind mentioned would surely be a start 

 for the average place, but you must judge for yourself. 

 The main thing is to have the stock on hand. As H. E. 

 Holden of the American Nursery Company says, *'The 

 florist as a rule has a trade to start with, for his flower 

 customers will quickly respond to the nursery end of it 

 once they know their florist has the stock to off"er." 



