Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-08
The Flower Trade of New York.

there are thirty large florist concerns
each of which pays 81 rent from 81 ,OOL
to 81 500 a year, and does yearly bust
ness of from six to forty thousand dol
lars. There are besides perhaps fifty
smaller shops for the sale of flow
ers in different parts of the city. Many
of the larger gardens and lighthouses
were established during the flush times
between 1860 and 1870, when large sums
were lavished on floral decorations. AT
the wedding Of Tweed's daughter, for
instance, the floral designs, bouquets,
and parlor decorations are said to have
cost nearly $4,000 Since 1871 there
has been no notable increase in the
number Of flower producers in this vi
cln!ty. The number of retail dealers.
however, has increased, and with the
greater competition and smaller de-
mand the prices and profits have been
materially lowered Indeed, says a
Times reporter, to whom we are indebt-
ed for three-column review of the
trade, it is only at holiday seasons that
prices can be regarded as handsomely
remunerative. For example, a ship
ment of roses and violets sent to Bos-
ton just before New Years brought $15
a hundred for the roses and 81 so for
the violets; but by the 10th the same
sorts OF flowers were respectively worth
only 81, and half dollar a hundred.
At this mldwlnter season the assert
ment of flowers in the New York mar
ket embraces ten choice varieties of
roses, four varieties of camellias, sew
eral varieties of carnations, violets in
abundance, heliotropes, mignonettes,
nots, the sweet alyssum, etc. The lilies
of the valley seem to gain in popularity
constantly; and Notwithstanding the
great number grown about New York,
SO high are they in favor that the price
is always good. Roehrs. of Union Hill,
N. j., grows 100000 sprays of them an
nually. One day last year he sent to
the city by one man 10000 sprays, for
which he received fifteen cents each, or
ST. 500 for single back-load Carl Jur-
gems, of Newport, Rhode Island, grows
this winter 100000 sprays of these little
beauties. Roman hyacinths, which
rival the lilies of the valley in popular
ity, are worth just now from seven to
ten cents a spray, Or from one and
half to two dollars a Dozen Orchids
are always hard to get and very costly;
sometimes as much as five dollars has
been paid for single flower. The fin
est collection of orchids grown for the
trade in this country is believed to be
that Of George Such, of South Amboy,
N. J.
Among foliage plants, ferns and smilax
are most commonly used, and are Justly
priced for their effect in lighting up all
floral decorations. Ordinary branches
of ferns cost but three dollars hun
dred, but some of the rarer kinds COM
mand as much as fifty cents each. The
amount of smilaX used here is enor-
nous, experienced florists estimating
that from 100000 to 100000 feet of
this beautiful vine are made up an
annually in this city. Formerly it was
imported entirely from Boston, at cost
of a dollar a yard for single strings; now
that the local florists are growing it
largely, the price is greatly reduced
This winter not more than three thous-
and dollars worth of all kinds of flow
ers and foliage have been imported
from Boston, while considerably more
than that amount has been sent there,
besides large shipments to Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Albany, and other cities.
The best informed of our large flower
growers estimate that not less than $1O,-
100000 are invested in the wholesale
florists business, in land, greenhouses,
and stock in this vicinity. The hot
houses cover over forty-five acres At
Union Hill, n j., there are perhaps
twenty acres under glass for the cultiva
ton Of flowers for the New York mar
ket The general average of prices at
the present time is, for loose roses, ST a
dozen, except for choice specimens,
which command fifty cents, or even a
dollar apiece; Gala lilies, 25 cents each;
smilax, 80 cents a yard; heliotropes,
carnations, bouvardia and other small
flowers, about so cents a dozen: hand
DO lquets from S. to $25, according to
size and compositions table designs
from IS to 800; funeral designs from s.
to $3.50.
For permanent house decorations,
grasses, inmao'telles and pressed leaves
are in great favor; the most beautiful
grasses being the magnificent "pampas
grass" plumes from California, which
sell from so to rs cents each, or 81 a
pair for handsome specimens. Inanaor-
telles of natural color and dyed, are
brought from France, but not in large
enthusiastically american.