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Florist’s plants. A half-century ago the florist plant trade, although perhaps relatively of greater importance than at present, was not a prominent feature of the holiday trade. At Christmas there was some acceleration in the business, but this was overshadowed by the trade in cut-flowers. Easter was not a time of great plant sales. Church decorations in Protestant churches were not common. The sales of plants were more evenly distributed throughout the year, and the variety of plants sold was greater because the grower and consumer came in contact with each other, thus enabling the grower to dispose of plants which would not withstand the handling experienced by the plants of the present day. With the changing conditions in the family life of city residents, plants are no longer largely desired for window-gardens, but for temporary decoration of the living-rooms. The old type of plant-grower with his botanical collection has passed away, and in his place is the large commercial grower of a few staple plants which are grown in perfect condition. These growers produce a large quantity of plants for Christmas and then begin operations for Easter, as both of these dates now are times for the sending of gifts.

The trade in florist plants in the U. S., including bedding plants, is not less than $10,000,000, and it is encouraging that it is annually increasing without any diminution in the volume of the cut-flower business. Every up-to-date florist makes Christmas and Easter displays, and often special exhibits of chrysanthemums, and so on, are made when in season. The most successful of these displays are made in houses arranged for the purpose, for when made in an ordinary greenhouse with high benches, the taller plants are above the level of the eye and the effect is sacrificed. The best houses for displays are those of the conservatory type such as are seen in connection with "some of the best flower stores. An ordinary greenhouse is often adapted for the purpose by constructing low benches, 18 to 20 inches high, for displaying bulbous plants and omitting them entirely for tall plants. The object sought in all cases is to have the plants placed so that tie buyer looks down upon them. The show house is not very large for the reason that it is not always advisable to have too many plants of a kind in sight and also because at Easter the occurrence of warm, bright, unseasonable weather prevents keeping the plants in good condition. It is generally recognized that the display must be maintained in good condition by removing all unsightly plants and faded flowers. The stock should be replenished and rearranged every day. 

The good salesman is one who has a knowledge of the care of plants, as well as their, good points, their appropriateness for special occasions, and so on. Judicious advice on these points has much to do in winning and retaining customers. When a sale is made, the plants are carefully tagged with the correct address and the time it is to be delivered. If the plant is intended as a present, the sender's card is usually placed in a waterproof envelope which is fastened to the delivery tag. Deliveries of Christmas and Easter plants particularly should be promptly made, for nothing creates more dissatisfaction than late delivery. This requires skill hi systematically arranging the plants according to the delivery routes, thus avoiding traversing the same territory a second time. It is axiomatic that the plant should be at its best on the day or at the function for which it is to be used. The weather has much to do with the condition of plants upon delivery. At Christmas, stock may be sent out twenty-four hours in advance, while at Easter stock delivered thus far in advance may not be satisfactory on Sunday.

All plants in pots, with the possible exception of the woody kinds, are staked and tied before handling. Plants are neatly wrapped with several thicknesses of paper to insure safe delivery. Plants with flowers which are easily bruised are usually wrapped with a sheet of cotton batting or waxed paper and then six to eight thicknesses of newspaper with clean plain paper outside. When plants must be shipped in cold weather, they must be wrapped as indicated and then set in strong wooden boxes. These boxes are approximately 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 8 inches deep. The corners are strengthened by the use of extra cleats. The box is first lined with corrugated paper, and then several thicknesses of newspaper which are left hanging over the edges of the box all around. Slightly dampened excelsior is used around the pots to prevent breakage and to make the package secure. The paper is then brought up over the plants and fastened (Fig. 1510). Over the top a frame is built of ½ x 4-inch cleating lumber which prevents damage to the plants (Fig. 1511).

The number of plants that can be had in perfection at Christmas is limited and does not change from year to year. Among the leading flowering plants are poinsettias in pots and pans, azaleas, cyclamen and Lorraine begonias. The more expensive plants are ericas (E. melanthera) and camellias.

The berried plants commonly grown are the Jerusalem cherry (Solanum capsicastrum), Christmas pepper (S. pseudo-capsicum), aucubas, ardisias, holly and Otaheite oranges.

The foliage plants include araucarias, boxwood, crotons, nephrolepis, Pandanus veitchii, Ficus pandurata and F. elastica, Dracaena (D. terminalis, D. fragrans, D. mandaeana, D. godseffiana, D. lord wolseley) and Adiantum.

Easter is a great plant day and there is a great variety of suitable plants. The leading flowering plant is, of course, Lilium longiflorum.

It would be difficult to determine the relative market value of the different plants, but among the bulbs tulips, hyacinths, narcissi and lilies-of-the-valley are staples. These are sold in pots or pans, singly or in plant combinations. A very large amount of bulbous material is sold at Easter. Cinerarias, Primula obconica and P. sinensis are a smaller factor than formerly on the large city markets, but still remain an important item in the smaller cities. Marguerites and spirea (Astilbe japonica), when well grown, find a good sale in New York. A number of violets and pansies planted in low dishes, and small blooming geraniums, from 3-inch pots, planted in 6- to 12-inch bulb pans, are salable plants in many localities. Among the shrubs the azaleas are most important, although in some cities they show a decline in popularity. Following these are genistas, which have been for many years a popular Easter plant. Hydrangea rosea and H. otaksa were long standard varieties, but now will probably give way to the new French varieties. In some cities hydrangeas are less used for Easter than for Memorial Day. Lilacs, Charles X, Marie Legraye and Madame Lemoine are among the best. The lilac has the disadvantage of a great display of wood and leaves before the terminal flowers charm the eye. It therefore requires accessories to relieve this effect, and the demand for this plant is limited. Rhododendrons are slowly gaining in popularity. Acacias and ericas are becoming more common each year. Acacia longifolia and A. paradoxa are now grown for market. Erica cavendishii is used for individual plants, while E. cupressina is used in making up baskets of plants. Bougainvillea sanderiana, like the rambler roses, may be made to assume definite forms which are especially beautiful when the bracts are well colored. Among the other shrubs more or less common are Azalea mollis. Deutzia gracilis, Spiraea van houtlei, double almond, hawthorns, and Wistaria multijuga. In the last decade the rambler roses have taken a prominent place among Easter plants and each year a larger number are grown. The crimson rambler was first used, but is now superseded by the more beautiful Dorothy Perkins, Tausendschon, Lady Gay, Newport Fairy and Hiawatha. The rambler roses possess the advantage that they can be trained into pleasing forms. The polyantha roses are popular also, and among the varieties used are Madame Norbert Levavasseur (Baby Rambler), Mrs. Cutbush and Orleans. The latter are very satisfactory when sold either as individual plants with waterproof crepe paper pot-covers or in baskets with other plants. The hybrid perpetuals are still grown, but not in so large quantities as formerly. The varieties now grown are Frau Karl Druschki, Mrs. John Laing and Magna Charta.

Easter brings a demand for some of the larger sizes of foliage plants for decorations in churches, retail stores, and the like. The small-sized ferns, dracenas and palms are required in making up baskets of plants.

The florist of fifty years ago thought that a good blooming plant did not need any aids to make it attractive. This has changed, and the florists arc. seeking every means to make their plants more attractive. The most inexpensive method of doing this is to use pot-covers of waterproof crepe paper in color suited to the subjects. Porto Rican or raffia matting in color is used in a similar manner.

The trade of the present day disposes of a great many plants in baskets or boxes. Individual plant- baskets, with handles, to hold even as large as 6- to 8-inch pots are often used. Baskets, usually of the peach-basket shape, are also utilized for an endless variety of combinations of flowering and foliage plants (Fig. 1512). The baskets are supplied with a metal receptacle or lining so that the pots may be removed from the plants, giving them the appearance of having been grown together. Formerly these receptacles were filled by the retailers, but now many are prepared at the greenhouses according to order and sent to the stores where all that is needed is to add the basket and the ribbons. The latter plan relieves the store of much work in the busy season, out may not result in as artistic combinations as can be secured by a person trained in the work. The manufacturers of florist supplies are striving to meet the demand for something new in baskets and boxes. New material, weaves and shapes, are seen every year. There is also a great variety of coloring. There are green, gilt, white, red, ivory, bronze and copper shades as well as two-tone effects, as red and green, white and green, blue and white, pink and white, and yellow and white. The variety offered is such that baskets can be secured in sizes to suit either the high-class or popular trade. The small florist usually begins by using some of the willow, rattan or splint baskets which are filled with inexpensive plants. Cedar tubs, wood and terra-cotta boxes are also used. The demand for pleasing arrangements of flowering and foliage plants in boxes, jardinieres, hampers, baskets, pans and dishes of fanciful design, light and airy, dainty and graceful, is increasing and is receiving the attention of the growers of holiday plants. It is generally recognized that the work offers as wide a scope for inventive genius and artistic discernment as any phase of the florist business. 
A. C. Beal.

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== References  ==

*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963 <!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  --> <!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  --> <!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

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