New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-16
THE ROSE-GROWING CRAZE.

Peter Henderson in The Gardener'S Monthly
In consequence Of the extraordinary prices OBJ
tanned for rOsebuds during the past two or three
years not only have the regular florists used their
large profits in extending their greenhouse struc-
lures for that purpose. but the faDouS reports Oh
the profits of growing have excited the cupdlty
of many capitalists in tho vicinity OF Newly ork.
Boston and Chicago, and III all probability III the
other large cities OF the Union. These men have an
abundance Of means, and begin OF scale usually
at which the ordinary florist, who had TO climb ms
wa up ends: 50 that we have already IN the
vicinity OF New-lork at least q dozen establish;
monts Tor the forcing OF roSehudS III winter, owned
by men who count their capital by millions. these
gentlemen OF course. know nothing practically
about tho business, relying altogether upon their
Gardeners for success for who ever heard OF a
millionaire florist Whether they do succeed or
not in making a profit Of a few thousand dollars
wear is not vital to men who count their income by
the hunGfed thousand yet 1t Is curious WIN what
interest tho rise fall OF a few cents In the rose
market is regarded even by them New-JerSey mas
more than her quota of these millionaire HOllHts
Already we have four IN Madison, one in summit
and two in Orange New-Jersey, and II IS SAID that
there i, as much interest manifested by them IN the
prices at which. in the technical slang OF the
hover shops, Cooks" Jacks Mennets and
Pcrlcs" are quoted in Broadway as Is eyinced IN
Wall Street IN Wabash" " Lake shore" Ere or
" Central" 1t is true that one at least, OF these
gentlemen gives all the profits that accrue iTOu ms
roses TO charitable purposes; but It Is feared that
he has few imlators GmOng his cOmpecrs IN tins
particular; for the motive is the same as I'M al
other nyesmentS-to get the largest proht possible
from the smallest amount Of money involved.
" thin the past twelve months l nave Dctu toh-
suited by at least score of gentlemen about to en-
bark in the business of rose growing and have no
doubt others of the trade have had the same eX-
pe,ieuce II is truo that many of these amateur
florists will get their fingers burnt and Will not only
never realize dollar their investments, but viii
work at a loss yet enough Of them VIII succeed 10
glye zest 10 the risk for Mt piesent prices, when
success is attained the profits are SO great as To pro
duce the present 4" CraZe' on the subJect-a
craze" that probably will result exactly ms the
Morus Multicaulis did in 1910, or the grapevine
fpVp in 1859. All pNDerence shows tlAt, I'D Inc
prrishable commodities OF fruits, flowers or yege-
tables whenever an Oyer-supply Hoods the market
and brings down the prices below paying Ieyel,
less is sold than when they bring far price. Two
wears aro in June Strawberries and cabbage IN the
New-YOrll markets GOT so low as not to pay even
the cost of marketing The result was that
hundreds of loads had 10 be taken back and
dumped in the manure yards, as they could not De
disposed of at any price Some thirty years ago
peaches one day fell down to II cents basket IN
Washington Market New Ork, and would not sell
at that In those days the crop was perhaps held
by IA score oe dealers only They got their heads
together and decided to destroy every peach IN the
marked It was done. scarcity was produced,
and in -four hours peaches went up to ~ per
basket The leader in the movement had no DOUBT
been n disciple of Adam Smith, and had wisely
studied the laws of supply and demand.
The present excitement in rose-grOwng IS no
doubt largely due to the unprecedented prices
realized this winter which have been caused Ill
great measure by the unusual heat and drouth Of
last autumn. which weakened in many eases, ana
in Others entirely destroyed. the plants that would
have been used to produce the crop OF lOwers
This together with brisk demand. has resulted IN
profits " hch it is unreasonable to expect can ever
be long continued in any legitimate business