Flower Market.
Retail Prices in the Flower Market.
New York, February 23d.
There is a glut of flowers, particularly of tea roses of an indifferent quality. Bon Silene buds cost from 75 cts. to $1 a dozen, Perle des Jardins, Niphetos, Souvenir d’un Ami, and Papa Gontiers bring $1.50 a dozen. C. Mermets are very fine and from 30 to 35 cts. each. Not more than one in three La France roses is perfect; they bring from 25 cts. to 50 cts. each. Mde. Cuisin and Duke of Connaught are 25 cts. each, Bennets 20 cts. each and Brides 25 cts. each. American Beauties are $1 to $1.50 each, according to the location where they are sold. Puritans cost 75 cts. each, and Jacqueminots 50 cts. Magna Chartas are the most popular of the hybrid roses at present. They, Anna de Diesbach and Mad. Gabriel Luizet bring from $1 to $1.50 each.
Mignonette is very plentiful, well grown and of the spiral variety; it brings 75 cts. a dozen spikes retail, very large spikes bring as high as 15 cts. each. Hyacinths, Lilies-of-the-Valley and Tulips bring $1 a dozen. Lilacs cost 25 cts. for a spray of one or two tassels. Violets are abundant, mostly of the Marie Louise variety, and bring $2 a hundred. Fancy long stem red Carnations cost 75 cts. a dozen; short stem Carnations are 50 cts. a dozen; the dyed Carnations, named “Emerald,” are in brisk demand and sell for 15 cts. each. Daffodils are $1 a dozen; those dyed bring 20 cts. each. Finely grown Forget-me-not brought in small quantity to retail dealers sells for 10 cts. a spray. Calla Lilies bring $2 and $3 a dozen, and Longiflorum Lilies $4 a dozen.
Philadelphia, February 23d.
Heavy demands for flowers dropped off short on Ash Wednesday, and decreased each day until Saturday, when the regular orders for loose flowers caused the trade to pick up again. The demand for Orchids is steadily growing; a fair quantity is used at balls and parties, but nothing in comparison to Roses, Violets and Lily-of-the-Valley. Violets have been in greater demand, so far, than for several years. Large quantities of Tulips have been used recently for table decorations, especially the pink varieties, the favorite color for dinners and lunches. The American Beauty Rose, when cut with long stems, and really first class in every other respect, has been in great demand, at the best prices. Md. Gabrielle Luizet is scarce, the local growers not having commenced to cut in quantity; it is frequently asked for. Carnation plateaus in solid colors have been used freely. Lilacs are considered choice and have been in good demand. Retail prices rule as follows: Orchids, from 25 cts. to $1 each; La France, Mermet, Bride and Bennet Roses, $3 per dozen; Jacques, $4 to $5; American Beauty, $4 to $9; Puritan, $4; Anna de Diesbach, $5 to $7.50; Papa Gontier, Sunset, Perle des Jardins and Mad. Cuisin, $1.50; Bon Silene, $1.00; Niphetos, $1 to $1.50. Lily-of-the-Valley, and Roman Hyacinths, bring $1 per dozen; Mignonette, 50 cts., and Freesia the same per dozen; Heliotrope, Pansies, Carnations, and Forget-me-nots, 35 cts. per dozen. Violets bring from $1 to $1.50 per hundred; Lilium Harrisii, $3.00 per dozen; Callas $2 per dozen, and Lilacs $2 per bunch of about eight sprays. Daffodils sell briskly at from $1 to $1.50 per dozen.
Boston, February 23d.
The season of Lent is always looked forward to by the florists with anxiety, for the rest from receptions, assemblies and balls cuts off one of the chief outlets for the choicest flowers: a few warm days are sufficient to overstock the market, and prices take a fall. Buyers are learning, however, that at no period of the year can cut flowers be had in such perfection and variety as during February and March, and although not much required for party occasions they are bought for other purposes in increasing quantities every year, so that the advent of Lent does not now produce utter stagnation in the flower trade. In Roses there is at present a large assortment offered. From the modest Bon Silene, and its new competitor, Papa Gontier, up to the magnificent American Beauty and Hybrid Perpetuals, may be found every gradation of color, size and fragrance. Retail prices vary from 75 cts. per dozen for Bon Silenes and $1.50 to $2 for Perles, Niphetos, etc., up to $3 and $4 for the best Mermets, Niels and La France; Hybrids and Jacques of best quality bring from $6 to $9 per dozen. In bulbous flowers a large variety is shown. Lily-of-the-Valley sells for $1.50 per dozen sprays; Narcissus of various kinds, Hyacinths and Tulips for $1 per dozen; Violets, 50 cts. per bunch; Pansies, Mignonette, Heliotrope, Forget-me-not and Calendulas, 50 cts. per doz. Long stemmed Carnations are to be had in great variety at 75 cts. per dozen; Callas 25 cts. each, and Smilax 50 cts. a string. At this season Smilax is at its best, being its time of flowering, and the flowers are deliciously fragrant.
Publishers’ Note.
A photogravure of Mr. A. St. Gaudens’s bronze medallion of the late Professor Asa Gray will be published as a supplement to the second number of Garden and Forest.
For lawn and cemetery planting. These can now be furnished in great variety, from our extensive collection, at reduced prices.
We have now on hand a large supply of the following rare Beeches, all of which have been recently transplanted, and are in consequence abundantly furnished with fine roots:—
PURPLE-LEAVED BEECH.
From 6 to 10 feet high; elegant specimens. All were grafted from the beautiful “Rivers’ variety,” so justly celebrated for the intense blood-red color of its foliage.
WEEPING BEECH.
From 6 to 10 feet high, suitable for immediate effect, and well supplied with decidedly pendulous branches.
CRESTED and FERN-LEAVED BEECHES.
We offer a superb stock of these, averaging in height from 5 or 6 to 10 feet, all well rooted and nicely furnished.
In EVERGREENS
We have now in stock a large supply of American, Siberian and Golden Arbor Vitæs, Balsam Firs, Hemlocks and Norway Spruce; good, young, healthy plants, especially desirable for screens and hedges.
In SHRUBBERY
Our assortment is very complete, embracing many rare and elegant species. Our immense stock of some kinds enables us to accept orders at very low rates.
HOOPES, BRO. & THOMAS,
Maple Avenue Nurseries,
WEST CHESTER, PA.
TUBEROUS BEGONIAS.
Awarded Four Gold Medals.
Gold Medal Collection, quite unrivaled. Tubers in
a dry state can be safely transmitted from England until April.
Prices When Selection Is Left To Us:
| Per Doz. | ||
| A Collection, Named, our | best collection | 42s. |
| B “ “ | very choice selection | 36s. |
| C “ “ | choice selection | 30s. |
| D “ “ | very good selection | 24s. |
| E “ “ | good selection | 18s. |
| F “ “ | ordinary selection | 12s. |
| G “ Unnamed | best selections to color | 21s. |
| H “ “ | very choice selection | 18s. |
| J “ " | best whites, distinct | 15s. |
| K “ “ | choice selection | 12s. |
| L “ “ | very good, selected to color for bedding | 9s. |
| M “ “ | good best do. per 100, 40s., | 6s. |
DOUBLE VARIETIES.
Prices (Our Selection):
| P Collection, Named, our | best collection, each 7s. 6d. and 13s. 6d. | |
| Per Doz. | ||
| R “ “ | very choice ditto | 63s. |
| S “ “ | choice ditto | 48s. |
| T “ “ | very good ditto | 42s. |
| W “ Unnamed | our very choice, selected, distinct | 30s. |
| X “ “ | choice, selected in 6 colors | 24s. |
| Z “ “ | mixed ditto | 18s. |
BEGONIA SEED.
Gold Medal strain from Prize Plants. New Crop. Sealed packets. Choice mixed, from single varieties. 1s. and 2s. 6d. per packet; 5s. and 10s. extra large packets; double varieties, 1s., 2s. 6d. and 5s. per packet; large packets, 10s. Collections—12 named varieties, single, separate, 5s. 6d.; 6 named varieties, separate, 3s.
CALADIUM ROOTS.
The Finest Collection in the world. Best named varieties, per doz., 30s., 36s., 42s., 48s. and 60s.
GLOXINIA ROOTS.
In dormant state till March. Our unequalled collection. Self colors, and spotted. Best sorts to name, 12s., 18s., 24s., 30s., 36s. and 42s. per doz. Unnamed, very choice, 6s., 9s. and 12s. per doz.
GLOXINIA SEED.
Saved from our Prize Plants; erect flowering, drooping, mixed and spotted, separate, per packet, 1s., 2s. 6d. and 5s.
OTHER FLOWER SEEDS.
The choicest strains of Primula, Cineraria, Calceolaria, Cyclamen, Hollyhock, Dahlia, Pansies, Asters, Stocks, and every other sort.
All kinds of Plants, Roses, Fruit Trees, etc., that can be imported from England, safely transmitted in Wardian cases.
Remittances or London References must always accompany orders. Flower Seeds by post. Orders should reach us soon as possible.
CATALOGUES GRATIS AND POST FREE.
BLÜCHER UNHORSED AT LIGNY. Drawn by R. F. Zogbaum. Engraved by Peckwell.
THE CAMPAIGN OF WATERLOO. By John C. Ropes. With illustrations by R. F. Zogbaum, and drawings made by W. T. Smedley, especially commissioned by this Magazine to visit the field. A strikingly original history of this greatest of military events. A concluding article, beautifully illustrated, will appear in April.
BEGGARS. The third of the series of charming essays by Robert Louis Stevenson. The New York Tribune says in referring to this series:
“The matter is of itself enough to interest every person in the least interested in literature, and the manner of it is such as to make us ask again of him for the hundredth time, as it was asked of Macaulay, ‘Where did he get that style?’”
A SHELF OF OLD BOOKS.—LEIGH HUNT. By Mrs. James T. Fields. Illustrated with drawings, portraits and fac-similes. A charming account of some of the literary treasures owned by the late James T. Fields.
THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AND ITS APPLICATIONS. By Franklin Leonard Pope. With 14 illustrations. Mr. Pope describes the great advances recently made by which electricity takes the place of steam, or supplements it in so many directions.
THE NIXIE. A Fantastic Story. By Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson.
MENDELSSOHN’S LETTERS TO MOSCHELES. From the MSS. in the possession of Felix Moscheles. By William F. Apthorp. II. (Conclusion.) With portraits, reproductions of drawings, musical scores, etc.
"The letters are full of interest, especially in their frank observations on musical affairs of Mendelssohn’s day.“—Boston Saturday Evening Gazette.
THE DAY OF THE CYCLONE. A stirring Western story, founded on the Grinnell (Ia.) tornado. By Octave Thanet.
FIRST HARVESTS.—Chapters VII-X. By F. J. Stimson. (To be continued.)
NATURAL SELECTION—A Novelette in Three Parts. By H. C. Bunner. (Conclusion.) With Illustrations.
POEMS. By Thomas Nelson Page, C. P. Cranch, Bessie Chandler, and Charles Edwin Markham.
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Price, 25 cents. $3.00 a year.
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QUEEN MONEY.
1 vol., 12mo, $1.50.
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LOOKING BACKWARD.
2000-1887. BY Edward Bellamy, author of “Miss Ludington’s Sister.” $1.50.
“‘The Duchess Emilia’ and ‘She’ are not more strange than this story.”
UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS.
By M. M. Ballou, author of “Due North,” “Edge-Tools of Speech,” etc. $1.50.
A journey, in 1887, to Australia, Tasmania, Samoa, New Zealand and other South-Sea Islands.
For sale by all booksellers, or will be sent, post free, on receipt of price by
TICKNOR & CO., Boston.
The year 1888 promises to be a year of splendid political development, one and all redounding to the glory and triumph of a