February 28,1896, 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
189 
January, when good blooms are wanted, and by growing late sorts can 
be had. If good they will fetch from 9s, to 123, per dozen bunches of 
twelve blooms. The following are some good late sorts : L. Canning, 
Princess Blanche, Princess Teck (white), J, Dibbin (bronze), W, H, 
Lincoln (yellow), and Yellow Gem ; then a couple of houses of Lilium 
Harris!, If the bulbs are bought at the right market double and single 
Narcissi and Daffodils, in bloom in January and February, will pay a 
fair return, as also will Tuberoses, and last but not least, a few 
houses of Mushrooms, By growing the above the houses would be 
cleared for Tomatoes in February and March,— Geo. Masters, 
I AM much interested in the question propounded by “ Perplexed 
One” (page 137). During the last seven years I have been trying to 
work this out, and have met with more or less success. It may be 
stated at the outset that market gardening, even when a man is backed 
up by sufficient capital, is not the profitable business it was twenty or 
more years ago. The profits now are under the best management small, 
but still an industrious, careful man can live and extend his business. 
There are warm islands where Tomatoes can be grown equal to those 
produced under glass in this country, and with the improvements in 
ship-building foreign competition may become more in evidence in the 
future that it has been in the past; hence to make a profit the culture 
must be right and economy in production must be closely studied. 
The markets also must be watched. No doubt Covent Garden is the 
best market in the world for the best class produce, but Tomatoes and 
heavy produce generally, if produced far from London, can be more 
profitably disposed of locally than sent by rail. Tomatoes are so 
generally in demand all over the country that very often a better price 
can be realised in small towns and villages close at home than sending 
to London at considerable expense. We have occasionally sent 
Tomatoes and other produce to London just to test the markets in 
comparison with our own district, but we find a market as near home as 
possible for the bulk of our produce. 
Profitable market gardening under glass is pretty much a matter of 
adapting means to ends or vice versa, always bearing in mind it is more 
profitable generally to grow the things we can dispose of close at home 
than to send to a distant market, where we cannot either control prices 
or even feel sure that the parties to whom the goods are consigned will 
deal fairly with us. Every man has to make his own position. 
The crops which prove the most profitable in one district may not 
pay so well elsewhere, and therefore modifications have often to be made 
in our plans. It is hardly possible, even if it were wise, to attempt it, 
to lay down hard and fast rules to suit all places. The wise man tries 
to develop that part of his business which he finds pays the best, or, if 
possible, to develop something new, hence his mind is always on the 
stretch to imbibe new ideas, if there is the least chance of their paying 
their way. 
With reference to the remark of Chrysanthemums being sold at 
2s. fid. per dozen bunches, the quality must have been poor, possibly 
they were grown outside. We had no difficulty in making from 29, to 
38. per dozen blooms of fairly good flowers of Lady Lawrence and 
W. H. Lincoln last Christmas, and at such prices the blossoms pay. It 
is true, of course, the early blooms do not pay like the late ones, but 
these should only be grown in a limited number just sufficient to meet 
the home trade and keep customers together. The bulk of Chrys¬ 
anthemums should be grown for late flowering, and then, if fairly good, 
they will yet pay. Where manure of the right quality can be obtained 
cheaply Mushrooms offer a chance, as they are always saleable, but 
there is often a difficulty about the manure. Some years ago I had a 
friend who had a business near a town where there was a cavalry 
barracks, and he secured a contract for the removal of the manure from 
the stables, and grew Mushrooms in large quantities. If I could secure 
the manure from a brewery, or any large firm keeping a number of well- 
fed horses, I should certainly grow Mushrooms. 
Early Rhubarb in many country places is but poorly supplied, and 
if a moderate sized house, after the Tomatoes come out in October, is 
covered with canvas or even mats, or anything that will keep in the 
heat and subdue the light, and the house filled with strong roots of 
Rhubarb, the crop would be profitable, and it would not involve much 
expenditure provided the roots were grown at home. 
Good Violets always sell well in country towns, as do also Daffodils 
at Christmas, and these are things which may be provided at home, and 
may either be planted in the borders or in boxes ; the latter plan offers 
some advantages. Tree Carnations in about three or four colours would 
be a valuable help all winter. When grown in large quantities so that 
hundreds of dozens could be cut daily, London or Manchester would 
take the bulk of these if the flowers were fine. Arum Lilies, 
Niphetos Roses, and Strawberries would, in some cases, offer a good 
margin of profit. 
Strawberries may be grown with Tomatoes well up to the spring 
on shelves slung from the roof. I am assuming that the houses would 
be heated more or less, as a cold house is not of much use even for 
Tomatoes. There should at least be the means of keeping out frost. 
I am afraid I am encroaching too much on your space, though the 
subject is very far from being exhausted. In fact, taking into consi¬ 
deration the varying circumstances and conditions under which we 
severally work, the subject cannot be exhausted. The man who under¬ 
stands what he is doing and is resourceful in expedients, is fairly backed 
up with capital, and has good health, need not feel afraid to venture his 
capital if he selects the right spot. Those who are acquainted with the 
London trade will probably pick a suitable spot near London ; but there 
are hundreds of quiet spots in the country near a good sized town where 
a quiet living could be made without the exhausting wear and tear of 
mind and body which a London business involves.—E. H. 
In trying to “ crack the nut” “Perplexed,” our fellow reader, has 
given, I take first the Calla acthiopica. The Arum, in my opinion, is one 
of the most remunerative of plants “ Perplexed One ” can grow. If he 
has earth stages with space underneath them that can be made dark, he 
could also grow Mushrooms with advantage. The Dallas should be 
planted 18 inches asunder, not too deep, late in August. Fresh retentive 
loam is the best medium in which to grow them, and when they have 
done their work for the season and are planted out of doors the remaining 
soil will be suitable for the following crop (Tomatoes). It will need 
turning over and sweetening a little for them. Callas sell well, and 
realise a good price if the spathes are what is desired—viz., fresh and 
free from blotches. I find Campbell’s fumigating rolls effectual pre¬ 
ventives of insects and safe if the directions given with them are 
followed properly. The syringe must not be spared until the plants are 
opening their blooms, but it is best to fumigate just before they open. 
Arums must be kept elean and be watered abundantly. 
Next, in my estimation, would be Roses—Tea, Noisette, and a few 
Hybrid Perpetuals. The Mushroom beds beneath the stages, on which 
the pot Rosea stand, would benefit and help them by supplying ammonia. 
“ Perplexed One” will find this without doubt one “crack at the nut.’' 
The Roses will require pruning and repotting, or top-dressing as the case 
may be, in September, and started gradually into growth, syringing 
freely. Roses do not like too dry or too wet an atmosphere, hence light 
and air are of the utmost importance to profitable Rose growing. Then,, 
again. Strawberries may be. utilised. 
One house at least should be devoted to Chrysanthemums, and I do 
not myself see why Chrysanthemum houses, followed by bulbs, Spirsea 
japonica, Dielytra spectabilis, and other good plants, not excluding Lily 
of the Valley, should not pay. Adiantums potted in early autumn 
would prove very useful now. Tuberoses require strong heat to bring 
them to perfection ; and if these were grown it would be necessary to 
have a house especially for them, and therefore would not pay so well as 
the aforesaid. I should not advise “ Perplexed One ” to venture on 
Orchid growing with a view to profit, unless he is an expert or employe 
one.— John McPherson, Du field. 
“ What to use Tomato houses for in the winter with a view to profit ? ” 
Such is the query on page 137, February 11th, 1895. My experience 
is that Tomato houses may prove more profitable during the winter 
months than when used solely for Tomatoes in the summer, as when 
there is a glut of fruit prices run very low. In several provincial towns 
last summer really good Tomatoes were sold at 4d. per pound, from this 
price to fid. per pound was the wholesale price for the best quality 
of English grown fruit. These prices ranged for from six to eight weeks ; 
earlier and later the best Tomatoes were worth more money. Mine 
averaged a trifle over fid, per pound. Out of this had to be paid 
railway charges, market tolls, and salesman’s commission. It may be 
said there is not much profit at that price, but when one grower sends 
hundreds of tons of fruit to market in a season (and there are some 
who do so), it is the quantity that pays. 
But what to grow in the winter ? Although the paragraph quoted from 
a contemporary is before my eyes, in which Chrysanthemums are stated 
to be selling at 29 fid. the dozen bunches—twelve blooms in a bunch—I 
should still advise a considerable number to be grown, as on referring 
to my bo^k8 at the time of year mentioned (end of December), I was 
making 3fi8. for the same number of blooms. This was the price made 
in Covent Garden Market ’oy a well-known salesman. These were cut 
from plants especially grown for the purpose. Our aim should be 
—whether in cultivating fruit or flowers for market or home consump¬ 
tion—to endeavour to grow each and all to as great perfection as it is 
possible. Some people appear to think anything will do for the market, 
but after a trial they will find out to their cost that it is only the best, 
whether in fruit or flowers, that will make top prices. I know of 
nothing that will illustrate my meaning better than marketing Peaches. 
During the London season a large well-coloured Peach will make 
2s. fid., whereas one half the size from the same tree will only make a few 
coppers. But Chrysanthemums can be grown to pay even at 2s. fid. 
a dozen bunches where land is plentiful and cheap. Plant out the 
Chrysanthemums in rows 3 feet apart. This should be done as soon 
as all danger of frost is past in the spring. Stop the plants two or 
three times during the season. They will make rapid growth, and will 
need no further attention, only in keeping the weeds down. Early in 
October the plants should be lifted and placed on the floor of the Tomato 
house, making the soil as firm as possible about the roots, settling all 
in with a good soaking of water. If the operation is carefully carried 
out the plants will not suffer in the least, and the grower will be 
rewarded with a great crop of flowers, many more than can be grown under 
any other system. Consequently, if the returns are small for each 
consignment, they will still pay in the aggregate if the bulk is large. 
But for quality and high prices select a couple of good late varieties, 
white for preference. Grow them in pots throughout the summer, and 
disbud from fifteen to eighteen blooms each. Cut the flowers with long 
stems, and they will make the highest market price. 
“Arum Lilies” (Richardias) should be extensively grown, and if 
planted out during the summer months be lifted early in September 
before they have made much growth, and stood out of doors for a month, 
finally being placed in a cool house, then allowed to come on slowly. 
