Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-20

Peter Henderson in The Gardeners Monthly.
In consequence of the extraordinary prices
obtained for roeebuds during the past two or
three years, not only have the regular florist
used their large profits in extending their
greenhouse structures for that purpose, but the
fabulous reports Of the profits OF growing
have excited the cupidity Of many capitalists In
the vicinity Of New York, Boston and Chicago,
and In all probability In the other large cities of
the Union. These men have an abundance of
means, and begin on scale usually at which
the ordinary florist, who had to climb his way
up. ends; SO that we have already i'm the vicinity
OF New York at least a dozen establishments
for the forcing of rosebuds in winter. owned by
men who count their capital by millions. These
gentlemen, OF course, know nothing practically
about the business, relying altogether upon
their gardeners for success;-tor whoever heard
of a millionaire florist? Whether they do sue
coed or not in making profit of a few thousand
dollars year is not vital to men who count
their Income by the hundred thousand; yet it
is curious with what interest the rise or fall of
few cents In the rose market is regarded even
by them. New Jersey has more than her quota
OF these millionaire florists. Already we have
four In Madison, one In Summit and two in Or
ange. New Jersey, and it is said that there Is as
much interest manifested by them in the prices
at which, in the technical slang of the flower
shops, Cooks" Jacks" "Mermets' and
.'Peres" are quoted in Broadway as is evineed
in Wall street in wabash" Lake Shore. !"
Erie" or Central" 1t is true that one at
least, Of these gentlemen gives all the profits
that accrue from his roses to charitable purpo-
ses; but it is feared that he has few imitators
among his cOmpeers in this particular; for the
motive Is the same as I'm all other Investments
to get the largest profit possible from the smallest
amount of money involved. Within the past
twelve months have been consulted by at least
score gentlemen about to embark i'm the
business Of rOSe-grOwing, and have no doubt
others of the trade have had the same expert
ence. 1t is true that many of these amateur
florists will get their fingers burnt, and will
not only never realize a dollar on their invest
ments, but will work at a loss; yet enough of
them will succeed to give zest to the risk. for at
present prices when success is attained, the
profits are so great as to produce the present
craze" on the suUiect-a craze that
probably will result exactly as the
MOrus Multicaulis did in 1910, or the grapevine
fever in 1865. All experience shows that. in the
perishable commodities Of fruits, flowers or
vegetables, whernver an over supply floods
the market and brings down the prices below a
paying level less is sold than when they bring a
fair price. Two years ago. i'm June, Strawberries
and cabbage in the New York markets got so
low as not to pay even the cost Of marketing.
The result was that hundreds of loads had to be
taken back and dumped in the manure yards,
as they could not be disposed of at any price.
Some thirty years ago peaches one day fell
down to IL cents basket in Washington Mar
ket, New York, and would not sell at that. In
those days the crop was perhaps held by score
of dealers only. They got their heads together
and decided to destroy every peach in the mar
ket. 1t was done. A scarcity was produced
and Ia twenty-four hours peaches went up to
81 per basket. The leader in the movement
had no doubt been a disciple of Adam Smith,
and had wisely studied the laws of supply and
demand.
The present excitement In rose-growing is no
doubt largely due to the unprecedented prices
realized this winter which have been caused in
a great measure by the unusual heat and drouth
of last autumn, which weakened in many cases.
and in others entirely destroyed. the plants
that would have been used to produce the crop
of flowers This, together with o brisk demand
has resulted in profits which it is unreasonable
to expect can ever be long continued in any le-
Ultimate business.