Special Articles 
89 
credit be it said they have led the way in tlie attempt to adjust prices 
in their town and with a stronger support from tlieir brother tradesmen 
might achieve successful results. 
My own fuel costs have risen from 8c. in 1915-19K) to an estimated 
one of 13c. for the present season. Labor costs with me are nominal, 
but general labor is being advertised for here at 35c. per hour, an ad- 
vance of 10c. or 12c. during the last two years, which affords ample sup- 
port to the estimates of the concern alluded to. 
Taking the 100ft. x 20ft. house as a basis for figuring we find that 
such a house will have at most 1400ft. of bench, on which can be planted 
1800 Carnations, the whole representing an outlay of not less than Sli2000, 
which at — 
6 per cent, carries an interest charge of ttil20.00 
Add to this depreciation and repairs, etc 150.00 
Labor at present rates 250.00 
Fuel at 13c. per sq. ft 182.00 
Total .11702.00 
This makes a total of 50c. per sq. ft. for operating costs and upkeep. 
Some localities may reduce these figures somewhat, but more will 
increase them and I am sure 50c. may be fairly assumed as the actual 
cost of production in the case of Carnations and kindred crops. Being 
an all-season crop as well as a staple the results from such a house will 
give us some idea as to returns; so again taking the average results from 
The Florists’ Exchange census we find 15 flowers from each plant about 
as good as the grower may expect which gives us some 27,000 blooms, 
and by the way this is a 100 per cent, crop which we seldom get even 
though we -work faithfully to get it. 
The costs of packing and shipping, losses in transportation or 
through bad debts were not included in the costs of production, so these 
must also be deducted from the gross returns. 
I have, however, shown that a -13 per'lOO average must be made in 
order for a Carnation grower to maintain his equipment and expenses 
and, insofar as I can see there should be no difficulty in getting such a 
price, although if I should hazard a guess I should place the average of 
the last few years at about $1.75, which is clearly a losing-money propo- 
sition. If there is any time when the opportunity to gain the desired 
increase in prices may be at hand, the coming Winter will without doubt 
afford it. 
V' 
I 
I 
} 
} 
} 
ft' 
The Seasons 
{Washington Mean Time) 
Vernal Equinox, Spring begins March 21, 5.26 a.m. 
Summer Solstice, Summer begins June 22, 1.00 a.m. 
Autumnal Equinox, Autumn begins Sept. 23, 3.46 p.m. 
Winter Solstice, Winter begins Dec. 22, 10.42 a.m. 
\ 
\ 
\ 
I 
a 
