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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



of it, proves highly remunerative. Odontoglossums, more particularly the Alex- 

 andra? or crispum section, are always in demand, and are particularly valuable for 

 working into "shower" bouquets. Large numbers can be grown in comparatively 

 small houses, in which case the spikes of flowers are nearly always showing, and the 

 less the amount expended in their production by fire-heat above 50° the better. 

 Dendrobiums are very different, these requiring strong heat at times, but they do not 

 occupy much space and are very floriferous. The Phaleenopsis Schroderi section is 

 valuable. Cattleyas, Trianee, Mossise, Gaskelliana and labiata afford a long succession 

 of flowers, and where large numbers are grown they are rarely without few or many 

 flowers fit to cut. Oncidiums, flexuosum and varicosum Eogersi are profitable 

 yellow orchids, admirably adapted for making into sprays and mixing in hand bouquets. 

 Lselia anceps alba, flowering at mid- winter, is particularly valuable. Coelogync cristata 

 and its varieties, with Lycaste Skinneri, Cypripediums, insigne, Spicerianum and 

 Lceanum are all worthy of being grown extensively, and the list of profitable orchids 

 might be extended still further if we had not already treated fully upon the subject in 

 the chapter commencing on page 58 of this volume. 



FLOWERS FOR BUNCHING. 



Flowers, more or less of a hardy nature, suitable for bunching are fairly numerous, 

 and in some localities are grown in large quantities. The sale for them in the great 

 flower markets is uncertain, and small growers who supply them on commission may 

 sometimes not be paid for the trouble of bunching. Only those who can sell large 

 numbers locally are advised to commence their culture. In some towns there is a great 

 demand, especially on Saturday evenings, for cheap bunches of flowers, neatly arranged, 

 of which violets, Fig. 195, may be taken as an example, and it pays well to cater for 

 the class of customers indicated. White flowers are generally the most profitable. 



Annuals and Biennials.— Large beds of asters, especially "Comets," may safely be 

 grown, the best prices being realised for whites, early and late in the season. Acro- 

 cliniums, being of an everlasting nature, may be grown for drying and bunching. 

 Campanula media calycaathema, an easily grown hardy biennial, is fairly remunerative ; so 

 also are the best forms of white candytuft and marguerite. Carnations treated as annuals 

 produce large numbers of flowers in August, and, till severe frost cuts down the plants, 

 usually pay for growing. Annual chrysanthemums are attractive bunching flowers, and 

 the same may be said of annual coreopses. Blue cornflowers are in good demand at 



