New-York tribune., 1886-05-24
BUSY TIMES IN THE FLOWEk MARhET
BRISK SALES OF PoTTED PLANTS AT THE FOOT OF
4 , ,I-Gr

CANAL-Sr.
The ne qr approach of Decoration Day has given the
usual annual " boomr to the flower market at the
junction OF Spring and Canal SIS. at the North River.
Few persons besides those engaged in the sale OF
potted plants know OF the existence OF this market Tor
the reason that all business carried at night Ex
cept that bright AID blooming flowers take the place
the unromantic and practical vegetables the flower
market is a duplicate OF the vegetable market at
Ganseyoort-st When all the workpeople and children
who sit about the little square until midnight have
gone their rest the flower wagons begin to arrive.
Like the vegetable wagons, they como from all
oulrfers-Long Island Staten Island Westchester and
New-Jerscy. The city Ordin requires that these
market wagons sna not obstruct the street later than
5 a. The wdgoners consequently have to DO their
business in the nigh ime BY daybreak more than a
hundred flower wagons stand about the square with
their tail boards backed up against the sidewalks.
There is pushing, busting crowd OF distributors and
a sprinkling OF private individuals eager to invest
The distributors the retailers who have shops all
over the city, but particularly numerous about
Washington and Fulton Markets and along tue
avenues on the West Side.
Ii is stirring scene in the flower market at day
break when business is at its height Between the buy
ers and the venders the little plaza entirely taken
and the sidewalks al likewise lammed. though the
bright colors and the green leaves OF the flowers
eciateC III the HnO>lN Clc Ugul.
perfume Gs the neghbOrhOod with delicious scents of
roses geraniums etc. One dealer from Bergen Hill
had a wagonload OF bright Jacks that sold like
peanuts Mt ii country show at II 20 a dozen plants.
They thrifty. vigorous plants two or three feet
hign aud each plant bore from two TO five splendid
buds The flower rasers do not sell less than dozen
pots at sale. Fuchslas, petunias, dusty nillers,
coieus geranums, pansies. dozen different Kind OF
roses IVY etc. al sold at prices ranging between
rs cents and = 30 a dozen pots The distributors
afterward retail them to the pnbc at % cents pot
The trade IA growing every year" said dis
trbutor ana the flower rasers are getting rieh IL
il tho height OF the demand Just now and they can't
begin to supply it. Most every tsmily that has a
woman in it wants from to halt-a-dozen pots OF
to wers place the windows of its room. 1t would
cost them from - to S5 in time and trouble TO grow
the plant we would sell lem tor 20 cents. Cheap !
well ! should say 40. Why one OF those Jacks you
sec there would sell In the winter for ~. Here's q
Countess OF oxford rosebush with four big buds, each
Of which will sell for 30 cents in the florists shop
They sell for = % cozen bushes IN this market"
Some of the wagons had stocks OF dahas. gadiouses
and tuberose bulbs which they sold at cent each to
the distributors who in turn retail them at two Tor
cents distributor said the bulbs would flower out
in the fail and bring 30 cents each. Long before
o'clock the growers have sold out their WACO
loads of scarlet pink aud white flowers have turned
their horses heads homeward and the little plaza Is
comparatye deserted to remain until AGAIN al n ld-
night the wagons roll in again with their fragrant
htrlp