222 



WHOLESALE MARKET FOR THE SALE OF CUT- FLOWERS. 



this particular plant. In all stages of development, the 

 fruits, which were numerous, bore the same marks of 

 deformity. All other plants that have come under my 

 notice in the same locality have borne only normal fruit, 

 but the}' are growing in positions where they obtain the 

 .full advantage of air and sunlight, while the specimen 

 bearing abnormal fruit is closely shaded on all sides by 

 over-hanging trees. 



Eiioiiyinoiis EnropiTus in October is a showy shrub, 

 sometimes attaining the dimensions of a small tree. It 

 is a native of Europe, but is none the less desirable for 

 every American garden where good things find a home. 

 The Spindle Tree, as it is sometimes called, frequently 

 grows to the height of 30 feet. It is deciduous, but per- 

 fectly hardy. Being of a bushy habit, it soon forms a 

 neat specimen for the lawn. The dark green, shining 

 leaves have a very pleasing appearance. The flowers are 

 inconspicuous, but the bright crimson fruits with which 

 the branches are well clad in October render it an at- 

 tractive object. Early in the month the fruits expand 

 and expose the bright orange-coated seeds to view. 

 Fruits, seeds and leaves form a very pleasing combina- 

 nation of color. 



LoniiL'ra sfmpLrvir,-in . — The Scarlet Trumpet honey- 

 suckle is a very desirable plant, as it exhibits some pleas- 

 ing feature from early spring till late in the fall. It may 

 be called a vine or a trailing shrub, according to the po- 

 sition in which it is planted. Trained against a wall. 



fence or similar structure, it makes a good climber, but 

 when planted in the open ground without support, it 

 rambles irregularly over the surface. The former situa- 

 tion is the more desirable. It blooms freely throughout 

 the season, and the flowers, bright scarlet on the outside 

 and yellow within, are quite pretty and useful for decora- 

 tive work. It is quite hardy and naturally deciduous, but 

 if planted in the greenhouse or conservatory, where it 

 will escape the rigors of winter, it retains its leaves 

 throughout the year and grows and blooms continuously. 



SyiiipJioricarpits racemosiis . — The long pendulous 

 branches of this elegant deciduous shrub are well clothed 

 early in the fall with the large and beautiful white berries 

 that give it the appropriate name of Snowberry. It sel- 

 dom exceeds four feet in height. The droopmg habit of 

 the branches gives it a graceful appearance, but the large 

 white berries are its most attractive feature, as their 

 beauty is fully developed during the fall and early 

 winter, when most other hardy shrubs present anything 

 but a pleasing appearance. The berries are retained 

 upon the plant long after the leaves have fallen. 



DapIiiiL' Cneoniiii . — This species is both curious and 

 pretty. It has a trailing, though compact, habit, and 

 seldom exceeds six inches in height. When in bloom, 

 the numerous bright pink flowers are very attractive and 

 fragrant. Being perfectly hardy, it is a very desirable 

 little gem. B,' 



Harvard Botaiiii Cardc )!s. 



WHOLESALE MARKET FOR THE SALE OF CUT-FLOWERS. 



NOTES OF AN ENGLISH EXPERIENCE. 



A question was asked at one of the florists' con- 

 ventions as to the advisability of having a whole- 

 sale market for the sale of cut-flowers in our 

 large cities. It was replied that it would depend 

 largely upon the local needs. The markets of 

 London and Paris were mentioned as the only suc- 

 cessful ones. I could mention several more. I will 

 instance one, that at Evesham, Worcestershire, 

 England, which has been very successful. Flowers, 

 fruits and vegetables are brought there in cart and 

 wagon loads, and are eagerly bought by the agents 

 of commission and wholesale dealers, and are then 

 forwarded to all the large cities and towns through- 

 out England and Scotland. 



I was born and brought up near the town of 

 Evesham, which is the center of a very large area 

 of country, principally cultivated in small fruits 

 and flowers. Many hundreds of acres are rented 

 in small lots, from half an acre up to ten acres 

 each, for which a rent from $35 to S75 per acre 

 (not including house, etc.) is paid. The soil is a 

 very deep, rich black loam, which has been culti- 

 vated as garden land for several hundred years. 



Double cropping is practiced a great deal. Fre- 

 quently one may see three or four sorts of vegeta- 

 bles and flowers on the same piece of ground, ma- 

 turing in succession. 



Some ten years 'ago, nearly all the produce of 

 this locality was sent by railway to certain sales- 

 men who lived in the large cities and towns. These 

 salesmen sold everything to the storekeepers for 

 what they could get. Sometimes good prices were 

 realized, at others not enough to pay freightage. 

 Other growers took their produce 30 or 40 miles ; 

 others more, in carts or wagons, and sold it to the 

 storekeepers themselves, thus saving the commis- 

 sion and other expenses. 



Some seven years ago a great change took place. 

 A few growers collected and discussed the matter, 

 and it was decided to induce an auctioneer to build 

 a suitable building where anyone who choose could 

 send anything thej' grew. Three days each week, 

 and at a certain hour, he commenced to sell, and of 

 course the highest bidder was the purchaser. This 

 building is near the freight station; wholesale dealers 

 and commission men in the different cities and 



