MARKET GARDEN CULTIVATION DURING QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 409 



As an instance of the remarkable effect of opening up a 

 market with a remote locality I cannot but quote the Narcissus 

 trade of the Scilly Islands. This was introduced by T. Algernon 

 Dorrien Smith, Esq., of Tresco Abbey, who sent the first lot of 

 flowers to Covent Garden in 1865, when they realised £1. Under 

 this gentleman's fostering care and untiring efforts the export 

 in 18S5 had risen to sixty- five tons of flowers ; in 1887 it had 

 increased to 100 tons, and in 1896 to 496 tons of Narcissus and 

 fifty-nine tons of Wallflowers and Tomatos. The largest day 

 on record was this year, when 1,600 boxes came to London alone. 



The Narcissus as a market flower affords a remarkable 

 example of the way in which a popular favourite rapidly develops. 

 Perhaps this is due, not only to its innate beauty as a flower, but 

 to the time of year when it blooms, to its good keeping pro 

 perties when properly gathered, and to the admirable and effec- 

 tive method of bunching for market. Great credit is due to 

 those growers who so successfully introduced this popular 

 flower. 



The chief cut-blooms for market are Lilies of the Valley, 

 Roses, Carnations, Scarlet Geraniums, Tuberoses, Arums, 

 Camellias, Gardenias, Eucharis, Orchids, Chrysanthemums, &c. 

 The great feature in connection with blooms is to secure a regular 

 and constant supply. Of course this is impossible in certain 

 cases, but there are others where it is done. These constant daily 

 friends and old-established favourites are always in demand, par- 

 ticularly white and self-coloured varieties, and consequently are 

 less subject to glut and its attendant evils. I might just add 

 that one of our latest developments has been to keep Lily-of-the- 

 Valley roots in cool chambers, so that they may be grown all the 

 year round. It is impossible to give any statistics as to the 

 quantity of cut-flowers or of the many thousands engaged in the 

 trade as growers and sellers. 



We have now reviewed the market gardener as a producer in 

 all branches of his business, and shown the marvellous progress 

 he has made, particularly during the last two decades. We have 

 seen how he has extended the area of production in suitable 

 districts, both near to and remote from the large centres of 

 human life. We have seen how he has increased the variety and 

 improved the quality of our food supply, and has added much to 



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