The Florence tribune., 1899-10-14
THE BERMUDA LILY.
How the Flowers Are Transported
 for Easter.
Great Care Is Exercised to Preserve Them from Injury in Tran sit - Grown for the
 Bulbs.


 ''rhe majority of people who see the magnificent display of Easter lilies in our churches" said large importer of these flowers recently, do not realize what an immense task it is to get the blossoms to their destination at the right time and in the proper condition. We who have spent years in the busi- ness know how difficult it is to meet with even fair share of success, and so we are not disappointed at failures that understand the methods employed in their growth and transportation. In the first place, lilies are grown in Bermuda, not for the purpose of exporting them to the United States. but to supply the demands for bulbs for American florists.
 ''In Bermuda the flowers are checked to strengthen the bulbs, or. if permitted to bloom, are thrown away by the mil lions. When an American florist pro cures bulbs from Bermuda in quanti- ties he grows them to blossom at the right season without regard for the Bermuda crop, and sells them at prices ranging from 25 cents to two dollars per blossom, according to the trade to which he caters.
 ''The idea of importing these buds for sale was first suggested to florists by the number of them that came through the express offices, sent by tourists to friends at home, and, though more were spoiled in transportation than came through in good condition, the cost of each flower was, in the end, less than that quoted on the market. With the proper knowledge of the peeuliarities of the plants, there was no reason why their importation should not be made paying business, and it was accord ingly tried.
 "ln gaining the necessary knowledge some money has been lost. Experience had to teach when to select, where to select and whom to trust. The mistake that was first made was that of taking buds from growers and. allowing the local express rep resentatiYes to attend to all the de- tails. The result was that some of the goods reached us in good condition, but more did not, and we saw that the only safe plan was to arrange with some responsible grower and to fix upon a certain remuneration, the growers to be held accountable for the condition of the goods as they left his hands.
 .One great difficulty is this: Easter may fall any time between the close of March and the 18th of April, and there is danger that the season in Bermuda may be too early or too late to permit of the best buds being shipped. This year. notwithstanding the fact that Easter is early, our firm received assurances from it's correspondents that the buds would be in frst-class condition.
 The economic advantage of importa- tion is that, while lilies grown here cost about g cents flower and upward, the buds imported can be had for about six cents flower. The difference in price, of course, stimulates the de- mand.
 ''The buds are packed in boxes con taining from 50 to 70 each, the aver age being about 60. Some years the price, delivered here, has been $2.50 to s2.5o box. This year the price was about $3.25 a box, owing, as l have explained, to the fact that the grow CT is brought into the transaction, and is compelled to give his guarantee.
 ''The buds are green when packed. There is a stem left on each, perhaps IS to 20 inches long. Perfectbuds should have no white on them at all when they leave Bermuda. Each one is wrapped in soft paper, and all are packed in q box of moss, so made that the air may reach the contents. By the time they reach here they should have some whit ish-yellow indications. If the leaves are yellow and the end of the stalk dead, the bud is hopelessly ruined, and all effort on it is wasted.
 The way to develop the buds is to place the ends of the stems in clear, fresh water, the temperature of which will govern the rapidity of develop ment. Lukewarm water will bring them out at once, if the room be also warm. Water at about 40 degrees, a cool room and not too much light will bring them out in about five days The buds will stand the cold all right, but heat from stove or steam pipe rl1ins them. "-P Philadelphia Press.