The Daily News TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1902. THE BUSINESS OF FLOWER GROWING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 55, 25 February 1902, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1902. THE BUSINESS OF FLOWER GROWING.

In our yesterday's issue we referred to acme of what may be termed the secondary methods of money making out of dairy farming lands. Ic is hardly necessary to say that it is not in tho country districts these avenues exist. Conversing with a representative of this journal, Mr James Mackenzie, the nevr Commissioner of Crown Lands for Taranaki, in cammantitig on the splendid wealth of beantifnl flowers to be seen on every side expressed surprise that something was not dene to prospect the growing market that exists in Wellington cily for cut flowers. Mr Mackenzie ezprtssed the opinion that with the regular and quick communication that exists between New Plymouth something could be done to supply the want that exists in the Empire City, and the prices mentioned by him that hare to be paid for flowers for decorative purposes and funeral wreaths, certainly would seem to leave a fair margin of profit for the grower after allowing a very liberal sum fer expenses. If we remember right, Taranaki Sowers have, on more than one occasion, excited admiration in Wellington, and wk6n it is considered how easily they can be grown here and sent to Wellington the business should soon grow into a profitable one. The use of flowers fer decQrative purposes is very general, and grows as the demand is supplied. In this connection it is interesting to notice that in Everybody's Magazine for December, Edith Davids contributes an article on " The Vast Business of Flower-grow-ing." New York is now the worli's greatest flower market, though only 12 years ago it did but little trade in either plants or cat flowers, the markets for which are separate in New York. The trade in plants takes places from four to six or half-past six a.m., and is practically over in half an hour. The cut-flower trade of New York is the largest in the world, amounting to nearly £1,200,000 a year. There are a thousand flower farms within a radins of 50 miles of the city. The streethawkicg of the Hewers is done by poor Greeks, who also own many of New York's thensand small flower shops. Bat in fashionable flower shops Paris and London have nothing to compare in magnificence with these of Fifth Avenue and the Broadway. Here, as everywhere, there are millionaires who have made their fortunes in the business. And this is not surprising when four roses—at Christmas—are sold for £4 a piece, or eight times their weight in gold. One florist—now a millionaire—made his wealth largely through opening flower booths in some of New York's largest office?, realising, as he did, that many a wealthy business man, too busy to stop on his way home, would think nothing of buying an Bs, 10s, or 12s bunch of vielets if ke could have it brought to his office door. Nowhere in the world, says the writer of this article, are there sucii costly or : such beautiful floral decorations as ia ' New York. More choice and magni- < ficent rosas are grown at Madison than > anywhere else; peerless violets come from the Hudson Valley, and priceless orchids from New Rschelle.