“218 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 6, 1888. 
•return during the past two years. . It is a singular fact that in Philadel¬ 
phia single Violets are the most popular, while here they cannot be 
■.sold. 
After Roses, Carnations, and Violets, the flowers most extensively 
grown for the market are those produced from bulbs and tubers, such 
as Lily of the Valley, Roman Hyacinths, Tulips, Daffodils, and Lilies of 
several kinds. Dutch Hyacinths, which were so much sought after 
formerly, are now positively unsaleable. Who would have believed it 
possible a few years ago that Lilies of the Valley could be produced 
‘the whole year round ? Yet it is true that there is not a day in the 
year when these flowers cannot be supplied in quantity. Other flowers 
■which may be considered as staple, being regularly quoted in the whole¬ 
sale market, are Narcissi of several kinds, Freesias, Bouvardias, Mig¬ 
nonette, Callas, Camellias, Myosotis, Lilacs, Pansies, Smilax, and Ferns ; 
also some kinds whose sale is limited to certain seasons, such as Sweet 
Peas, Asters, Chrysanthemums, Gladioli, &c. 
The difference between the varieties called for here, and in England, 
is seen by consulting the prices current as published in the English 
periodicals. There we see quoted Tea Coloured, Red French, and 
Safrano Roses, with Tropseolums, Primulas, Poinsettias, Jasmine, Gar¬ 
denias, Abutilons, Cornflowers, Pyrethrums, Pelargoniums, &c. So much 
for fashion. A wholesale dealer who should offer that list as his stock 
in trade would starve here. 
The extent of the cut flower and kindred industries is much greater 
than is generally imagined. I have corresponded with such gentlemen 
as Peter Henderson, John N. May, August Rolker &'Sons, W. S. Allen, 
and J. C. Vaughan, with a view of compiling some estimates which 
would be approximately reliable ; but the figures received vary so much 
that it is difficult to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. The importa¬ 
tion of Lily of the Valley roots amounts to several millions annually ; 
the growing of these roots for this market being quite an industry abroad. 
The consumption of cut Tulips alone certainly amounts to many thou¬ 
sands daily during the winter season, and the number of Roman 
Hyacinths grown is simply enormous. Cut flowers amounting at whole¬ 
sale prices to one million dollars in value pass through the hands of 
■commission dealers annually, and the amount sold by growers for the 
market outside of the commission dealers must be as large, if not 
larger. 
From fifteen to twenty thousand dollars is invested annually in 
plants of new varieties of Roses. Mr. Thorpe estimates that there are 
630 acres of ground covered with glass in this country, about one-half 
of which is devoted to the growing of plants and one-half to the pro¬ 
duction of cut flowers. There are probably not less tbau 15,000 indi¬ 
viduals engaged in growing plants (for sale or for cut flowers) and in 
florists’ stores. 
Not less than fifty million plants are sold annually, and the impor¬ 
tation of bulbs and plants must amount to nearly, if not quite, half a 
million dollars in value. Tuberous bulbs, which we formerly imported, 
we now export in large quantities; and the exportation of Pampas 
-G-rass has also grown to be quite a large business. One and a half 
millions of plumes is probably a low estimate. 
But these figures give little idea of the amount of business or num¬ 
ber of people directly or indirectly dependent upon the cut flower trade. 
■Consider the material used in constructing greenhouses, - such as glass, 
iron pipe and fittings, hot water boilers and steam apparatus ; the 
labour employed and the money invested in the manufacture of plain 
and fancy flower pots, rubber hose, fertilisers, insect exterminators, and 
horticultural tools of all kinds ; also the capital invested and the num¬ 
ber of people employed in the making of ornamental baskets ; and the 
value of baskets of foreign manufacture, of Wheat, immortelles, &c., 
which are imported annually. One estimate places the value of coal 
.annually consumed at nearly four hundred thousand dollars. Tons of 
iron are made into wire and wire designs for florists’ use ; many thou¬ 
sands of pounds of tin-foil, also cords of wood (in the form of tooth¬ 
picks for stemming flowers, and of plant stakes), are items of consider¬ 
able account; while the rents paid for stores and the money paid in 
wages to help of both sexes must amount to a large sum. Enormous 
quantities of Moss, wild Ferns, ground Pine, Laurel branches, &c., are 
gathered in the woods every year, this one industry giving continuous 
employment to many people in the country. The Boston market alone 
consumes annually two million wild Ferns, two thousand barrels of 
Moss, 4 to 5 tons of ground Pine, and twenty thousand yards of Laurel 
festoons. These figures are for regular florists’ demands, and do not 
take into consideration the Christmas trade in greens, which of course 
Is very large. 
We must not forget the large sums spent in illustrated catalogues, 
many of which are really works of art, and in postage paid on the same ; 
nor should we overlook the educating influence of the illustrations in 
such publications, which are generally true to nature, with the result 
that the average flower painter or engraver of to-day knows better than 
to sketch Lilies with five petals; and needs not be told that Lilies of 
the Valley do not branch or that Morning Glories do not bear tendrils. 
The general knowledge of varieties in flowers and of their habits and 
characteristics, which a florist finds nowadays among his customers, is 
very gratifying and is significant, showing as it does the educating in¬ 
fluence which has been at work—a result which is due largely to the 
-enterprise and liberality of the commercial florists, who have placed the 
choicest productions of Nature’s handiwork within the reach of every¬ 
body, no matter how poor. 
What a wealth of beauty is displayed in the florists’ windows to-day! 
The old stories we used to read in our younger days of the poor city 
children who had never seen a green field, a Rose, or a Dandelion are no 
longer true. The situation has indeed changed ; and Rosebuds, Violets, 
Sweet Peas, and Daffodils are now as familiar to the eyes of the children 
of the street as they ever appeared to the most fortunate of their coun¬ 
try cousins. 
(To be continued.) 
CABBAGES—A CRITIQUE. 
I was pleased to notice that “ A Yorkshire Cabbage Grower,” page 
163, has understood part of what I wrote on “ Cabbages for the Spring,” 
page 90. He says “ A Kitchen Gardener ” “ has nothing to learn in 
the art of laudation on the one hand, and condemnation on the other.” 
That is so. Let me tell him why. I have spent so much of my own 
valuable time and my employer’s money during the last twenty years or 
so in testing new vegetables, and found so many of them utterly worth¬ 
less, that I have long since ceased to take any middle half-hearted course 
of dealing with them, letting them have it right and left, that no one 
can misunderstand my meaning. I have it on the authority of 
“ A Yorkshire Cabbage Grower ” that I succeeded in this, and let me ask 
your leaders if they do not approve of a plain “ Yes ” or “ No.” I do, 
and I like it in others, but I must say I do not approve of beating about 
the bush and trying to gain admission by the back door, and I fear I 
have caught “ A Yorkshire Cabbage Grower ” attempting this. I wrote 
of Cabbage for spring. He objects to my discarding Early York 
amongst varieties most suitable for growing to come in at that time, and 
says there is no variety in existence to equal it for sowing in spring to 
come in for autumn use. I never disputed that, but I am no autumn 
Cabbage eater. Very few are, and surely those who do grow them at 
that time can find better varieties than the Early York, which is now 
rarely grown in any garden. If Ellam’s Early is so good and so much 
more valuable than all others in the spring, as “ A Yorkshire Cabbage 
Grower ” says it is, why should it not be equally good in autumn, and 
how is the Early York preferred to it '! There is a mystery here which 
the words of your correspondent do not explain. As to the time of 
sowing, to which so much exception is taken, the 10th of July proved 
too early year after year in our case, so it has in scores of others, and 
those who have tested the matter carefully prefer having medium sized 
and sound plants from the last week of July sowing to the very early 
ones which lose so much in bolting. “ A Yorkshire Cabbage Grower ” 
need not think I am romancing. I have had Cabbages as large as any 
one has in November and December, but their condition in March and 
April, especially after passing through a severe winter, did not warrant 
me in adopting them, or advise others to do so. 
I have re-read the remarks, page 90, which have roused the ire of 
“ A Yorkshire Cabbage Grower they explain themselves, and I have 
nothing to withdraw.—A Kitchen Gardeneb. 
BIRMINGHAM GARDENERS’ MUTUAL IMPROVE¬ 
MENT ASSOCIATION. 
EXCURSION TO READING AND HECKFIELD PLACE. 
A most enjoyable event in connection with the above Association 
took place on Monday, August 27th, when a party consisting of about 
seventy members left Birmingham at 5.40 in the morning, arriving at 
8.30, and were met at the station by members of the firm of Messrs. 
Sutton & Sons, who had provided carriages to convey the party to their 
extensive trial grounds. After a drive over the greater portion of 
this very interesting place; we alighted and made a close inspection of 
the excellent varieties of flowers and vegetables for which this firm has 
so long been celebrated, and the many and oft withdrawals of the 
pocket-book and pencils afforded proof that the members had found 
something worth recording. Having inspected as far as time would 
permit (as we had a very heavy day’s programme before us), and the 
members had secured all the information they required, we were then 
conveyed to the London Road Nursery, where Cyclamens, Begonias, 
Gloxinias, Primulas, &c., are grown extensively for seed, and the first 
thing to rivet the attention here was the wonderful display of Tuberous 
Begonias grown from seed sown last January. Amongst them were to 
be found all the colours known to this class of plants, the flowers being 
of great size and substance, also more erect than usual, which is a great 
desideratum. Cjmlamens grown from seed sown last November are 
wonderful examples of high culture, their short sturdy habit and the 
breadth and substance of the foliage being a sure indication of the 
excellence of the strain and the close and skilful attention bestowed on 
the plants. Gloxinias were fading, but there was no mistaking the 
excellence of the plants and strain. Having exhausted the time set 
apart for this nursery, we were then conveyed to the extensive seed 
stores, a close inspection revealing a faultless system of management, 
A goodly quantity of bulbs had arrived, and were being unpacked, 
cleaned, and labelled ready for the “ season.” After passing through the 
establishment we were conducted to the lecture hall, where a sumptuous 
dinner was provided. Mr. Martin John Sutton presided, and was sup¬ 
ported by Mr. L. Sutton, Mr. W. Wildsmith, and Mr. W. B. Latham 
(Chairman of our Association). The Chairman briefly addressed the 
visitors, and expressed the great pleasure it gave them to meet and 
entertain such a representation of the gardeners of Birmingham, and 
hoped that although it was our first visit it would not be the last. He 
closed his remarks by proposing “ The Health of the Birmingham Gar- 
