The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-27
THOUSANDS FOR FLOWERS.

and for Elaborate Floral Decorations Cre-
atea n Tremendous Hndustry which IL Con-
ntnntiy uncroasinE-some Mistaken Notions.
The flower business has come to be an enor-
nous industry In and around this city in the
last ten years. Thousands, II not hundreds of
thousands. Of dollars are spent in u week on
floral decorations when the winter season is at
its height. Where do these flowers come FRONT
Nearly all are grown within a hundred miles of
tho city, and the cultivation, shipping. and
handling of them by wholesale and retail deal
ers give employment to thousands Of men. In
speaking OF the growth of the business, one Of
the best.known Wholesale men in town said:
THE demand for flo \ ers Is increasing year
by year, and, Of course. this multiplies the
growers and dealers. There are now nearly FIVE
hundred florists doing business in the city,
where ten years ago there were not many over
one hundred. This does not include the chaps
who have flower stands on the street corners or
the vendors OF blossoms. The demand for flow
ers not only for private houses but for dinners.
receptions, weddings, and other functions is
enormous, and almost every well-to-do family
has its semi.weekly. thrice-wcekly. or daily con.
signment from the florists.
Nearly all Of the flowers sold in New York
are grown in New Jersey and on Long Island.
The best violets come from up the Hudson. Each
grower employs on an average fifty to three
times that number OF men. and they are fairly
well paid. Many persons have an idea that
there Is a great deal Of money in the flower
business, but this Is not true. Very. very
few growers. commission men. or florists
are rich men. The outsider hears that American
Beauties are retailing at $3.50 each; in fact.
I've often received $32 a dozen for them whole
sale. and then l don't make much at 1t. The
growers are very sharp men as q rule. They
have a supply OF some flower for which there is
a demand and which is very hard to get, and
they demand what they please and get IL.
These sentlemen's places have almost cut all
rich men, who owns n fine country place. gets
Interested in the growing of flowers and plants
for his own use. and goes into the business for
the pleasure there is in 1t. Pretty soon he has
a great many more flowers than he can possibly
doesn't care for the business for what there is in
1t, but is satisfied II it barely pays expenses.
the field against four or Ave a decade ago and
an official OF one OF the New Jersey railroads.
told me that in small places where one small
handle their express business. two and some
times three enormous trucks are now required
since the growing and shipping Of flowers have
lent that the retail men do a large shipping
not true. for flowers do not keep we'll enough
for that. There is an mnwritten law
other. and l assure you that mo t OF he ship
ping OF flowers is done by WIRE or letter. For
yoSneils lady in ' Cievscl %Sf a H' birthday nd 7 bo 10 seaq he
goes to a ioris. here and orders II. tell ng ex-
aetiy WI. what ,.,a he wants VA 70 The so1 fori, I TAX takes the
who, on tho appointed, day. sends tho flowers
around in perfect condition.
Just how many growers there are around
these parts and how many men are employed in
growing, packing. and shipping the output Of
tiplied like hies on a hot summer day, and the
commission men are kept very. very busy in
handling the enormous quantities OF blossoms
and greens. Just what becomes OF them after
they pass into the hands OF the florists a retail
Yea" said a representative Of one of the old,
est firms In town, the Hover business has in
Srsassa Of anas olists in in , the b i%st tsw Z sssa, The The
same that II was fve years ago, but dealers in
flowers" contemptuously have sprung up as
since it was impossible to buy flowers above
Fiftieth street, and to-day you can buy them
and from the Battery to Tordham on the east.
Flowers are more fashionable to-day than
business increases. Decorations for dinners,
receptions. teas, weddings, and funerals grow
d6butante to receive i5o bouquets from us
t aron' I st tim Mns' thSss al at n the FiT o% ecSt Of ESQ so
each and you have an idea of how the business
I'VE are considered one of the highest-prlced
establishments in the city, and ! tell you frankly
that these stories you see published In the sensa.
wedding or that reception costing 81 900 or
Us, 1000 or &c, 900 or even more are all "a fairy tale.
Flowers are cheap nowadays and decorations
do not come SO high; Why, elaborate din.
$75. according to the number OF guests.
This. gives a handsome table design. bouquets
for the ladies and boutonnieres for tho men.
Again, $3.50. furnishes u very handsome altar
decoration Of choicest plants and flowers for a
wedding, and $500 transforms the church into a
veritable flower garden.
"A great many rich people have daily con.
s~ignmonts OF flowers from their own country
places. but we find that this does not Interfere
with tho retail business in tho least, though /
can SEQ how IL might affect professional grow
ers and commission men. They can raise them
cheaper than they can buy, and, then even II
they do have q lot of handsome blossoms from
their own places, II is much easier, II giving a
dinner or entertainment OF any kind, TO throw
the entire responsibility of the decorations on
the florist and the men whom he employs
us to have from ten to nifty men at work on
one job. This in itself shows what a big buei
ness tho flower business Is. and the beauty OF
It all is that the fad for flowers viii not die out
for the love of them once firmly implanted
comes to DO a part Of ones self. so the industry Il
bound to increase in the years to come."
Identical Motives.