The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1899-06-10
THE BERMUDA LILY.
Hsv tAs Flsvers Are Traasposssa
Ser Rasaee.


The majority OF people who see the
| magnificent display Of Easter hlies In
our churches" saiha 3nfge importer OF
these flowers recently, do not realiae
what an immense task Il il TO get the
blossoms 20 their destination at the
right time and In the proper condition.
We who have spent years in the bust
ness know how difficult il il to meet
with even fair share of success, and 50
we are not disappointed at failures that
would dishearten man who did not
understand the methods employed in
their growth and transportation. In the
frst place. lilies are grown in Bermuda.
not for the purpose OF exporting them
TO the United States. but 10 supply
he demands for bulbs for American
loristA.
"ln Bermuda the flowers are checked
Q strengthen the bulba. or, II permitted
g bloom. are thrown away by the mil
Ibna- When an American florist pro-
sNres bulbs from bermuda In quanti-
les he grows them to blossom at the
light season without regard for the
3ermuda crop. and sells them at prices
Nnging from IS cents to two dollars
per blossom. according to the trade to
which he eaters.
THE idea OF importing theae buds for
sale was first suggested to florists by
the number Of tAem that came through
the express Offices. sent by tourists to
friends at home. and. though more we're
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 pecuiarities of
the plants, there was no reason why
their importation should not be made
. paying business, and it was accord
ingly tried.
In 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
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 10 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 2sth 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 its correspondents that the buds |
would be in first-class condition.
The economic advantage of importa- |
ton is that, while lilies grown here cost
about IS cents flower and upward, the I
buds imported can be had for about
six cents a flower. The difference in
price. of course, stimulates the de-
mand. -
THE buds are packed in boxes con-
tanning from 50 to 70 each, the aver
age being about 60. Some years the
price. delivered here, has been $50 to
$50 box. This year the price was
about 1925 \ box, owing. as / have
explained, to the fact that the grow
y is brought into the transaction. and
s compelled to give his guarantee.
The buds are green when packed.
There Is stem left on each, perhaps
Is to 20 inches long. Perfect buds should
have no white on them at all when they
cave bermuda. Each one is wrapped
n soft paper, and all are packed in a
BOX OF moss, so made that the air may
each the contents. By the time they
each here they should have some whit
sh-yellow Indications. II the leaves
re yellow and the end of the stalk dead,
he bud is hopelessly ruined, and all
fort on it is wasted.
The way to develop the buds is to
'lace the ends of the stems in clear.
resh water, the temperature Of which
sill govern the rapidity of develop
nent. Lukewarm water will bring
hem ont at once, IL the room be also
rarm. Water at about 40 degrees, q
Ool room and not too much light will
ring them out in about five days. The
uds will stand the cold all right. but
eat from stove or steam pipe ruins
hem. "-PhlIadelphia Press.
M0ehetes An Paraguay.
n !