New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-14
DRIVEN OUT BY PEDLERS.
GROWERS FORCED AWAY FROM THE
UNION SQUARE MARKET.
VENDORS AND HuCKsTERs HAVE UsURPED
THEIR TRApE-THE CAUSE OF THE DECAY
HOW THE MARKET WAS FORMED
WHY PEOPLE BUY FEWER FLOWERS
THAN FORMERLY.

THAN FORMERLY.
A visitor to the Union Square flower market the
other morning surprised 10 see the marked a.
crease In the number OF growers wagons over pre-
ceding years. Whereas formerly the line OF wagons
extended from the plaza at the north end OF the
square as far as the Lincoln statue at the south
west corner the number OF wagons present couIo
almost have been counted on ones myers "he"
the market came into existence the marketmeo
began TO gather long before the first steaks OF gnt
were seen in the sky above the buildings on the
eastern border OF the park. Some OF them. anxious
10 secure the best stands" were In their places
shortly after midnight. and took the major part OF
their nights in their wagons
With the approach OF sunrise. the flower narkes
began TO wake up Tho wagons at the north plaza
were drawn up in two double rows. and around
them the products OF the growers art were exmo-
tied IN fragrant profuson. At sunrise the markss
was crowded The retail dealer was there. securing
his days supply. and those who bought no"e'
merely through love OF the beautiful or TO orna-
ment their homes came in small numbers II
h.cam, at one time a society lad" to turn out
before daybreak and make pilgrimage, unoes
proper escort. to the sunrise market Lazy
parties were formed. and then. with the ooJecs
of visiting Union Square and witnessing the CURIOUS
sights to there at an hour when tho rest q
the city was abed and slumbering peacefully
A DIFFERENCE THIS YEAR
On holidays the crowd was always greatest esA
necally on Memorial Day when II was necessary
for those who desired to secure floral tributes 70 %
on hand at exceptionally early hour' IN oruer
TO be in time to buy anything at all his year.
however It was on the morning OK
Memorial Day the wagons to be seen at tho mar
ket were extremely scanty in NUMBER, wnhe
there we're scarcely any retail buyers. me
quality OF the plants offered for sale had also &C.
Perforated and there few specimens onered lot
sale that would have been classed by the grow
ers seconds
The reason for the decay OF what once pronnseo
10 be a beautiful and permanent feature OF city ire
ia not hard TO find. Ex-Aderman John Morris, the
florist of Jefferson Market. who is known as tns
",a,her, OF the Union Square flower market, a.
tributes 1t TO several causes
WHAT HAS RUINED THE MARKET.
when the Union Square market was begun"
said no az was understood that the buyer could go
and purchase plants and flowers direct from ths
grower. who was trustworthy and had reputa-
ton 10 sustain. without paying the profits OF
middlcnan or buying from irresponsible pedieN.
During the first two three market seasons this
was the case, and the market was at once sue
cess until Il invaded by hucksers ana other
yenders who were interruptions In their dealings
with the public. These men would buy out tho
stock OF n gardener. else purchase the prshtess
appearing flowers in his display and putting these
in front OF tho plants of poorer quality make
showing that would be sure to attract customers
away from the less progressive growers
sell TO YOU whatever you asked for. whether they
had II or not and represent almost anything as Just
what YOU want II you asked for a hardy rose
they would sell one THAI wasn't TO you ana " you
asked for a continual ~bloomer you would got .
monthly boomer instead In this way many people
purchased plants these INTERPRETATIONS and
found themselves deceived afterward. 80 that eney
began 70 think the flower market was a good place
TO keep away from.
These men never paid their fees TO the niarK~
bureau as did the gardeners. After purchasing
growers stock they would take UP the stand ne nao
occupied and when the collector appeared the peder
would say on. these are Browns plants and am
selling them for him Then again. their scale OF
prces varied They would invariably size up
customer. and charge him any sum that they
thought he would be likely to pay II is not hard %
see how soon this way OF doing business began 70
drive customers away The marketmen, too. began
to be dsgustcd and gradually they have been
drifting back TO the old market at Canal-st- and
Gardeners look upon their art as a profession.
and take natural pride IN their products. Na t
places they soon began 10 withdraw ana 10 iea'e
a clear field for the vendors. n. ..
open the market al Easter some o. these e men zen
however with one or two gardeners whom they n n
'roped in went 10 the secretary OF the PARK Ne.
parment and told him that they had decided 70
open the market ten days oetore Eas' an wa was
failure. The weather was cold, ana many pSns
c %gtS sicksned Tits was really the beginning Of
the end The Union square market IN. may ,, drag
through another season. but do not think that u
will last longer than that.
BIT OF INTERESTING HISTORY.
The plan, market has an interesting history. II
was the outcome OF the crowded condition OF the
square at Clinton Market. The growers were DIS
contcnted, especially there was often not enough
room for the large number OF wagons when Grove
in every morning. Mr.. Morris. who was greatly IN
teres,ed IN the affair. instrumental in forming
the Market Florists Association which had for It's
object the securing OF more convenient ana cen,
/ tral.y situated market The association used 70
meet at Spring and Washington SIS. between and
flower market was put forth by Mr. Morris and
wa. I'm the sarlnS OF $500" said Mr Morris as hs
told the story. the Democratic nomination for
that time Il looked hopeless enough. The district
Republican by from 100 to l.seo majority. ana
chance TO win Remembering, however. that !
might be able to further my plans In regard 10 tho
ke, my platform WIKI the aid OF number OF the
r the wSn s n,hes brohe hus
bands and sweethearts. and asked them 20 vote Tor
ree wh the result that my majority
was almost 1000. on the strength or this majority,
Aldermen had acted. and secured the necessary
for the maTkt he 9Bsn 4s MAS at psH a ses
foowed ip out it would s have been successful
Now that the distractions at the lower market
have been removed the growers are beginning TO
There are other reasons for The, decline Of the
florists business IN general, which MIR Morris says.
is this year than ever before. Not many
years ago the average summer trip to the country
was short one. seldom lasting more than hve or
six weeks People returned 10 their city houses
before the summer over. and their back yard
gardens often rich in blossoms. ard were
guarded with the greatest care. Now the summer
Journey IL almost always OF several months dura-
ton. and the house is closed eor the season,
making what was the pride Of the home-!ov1ng
New Workers. heart thing OF the past. In the
fall however trade Is brisk for the supply OF
palms. ferns rubber plants ana other varees usea
for decorating purposes must be renewed; ana THIS
Is done several times in the course Of the winter
f,eyen the tardinieres which have become so fasn-
iorabe OF recent years have an effect upon the
florists income that IS readily felt Apartment
houses and big fiat buildings, which have blotted
| out go many old-time mansions with their cool
nrhnrs and flower plots have also done their share