A question was asked at one of the florists' conventions as to the advisability of having a wholesale market for the sale of cut-flowers in our large cities. It was replied that it would depend largely upon the local needs. The markets of London and Paris were mentioned as the only successful ones. I could mention several more. I will instance one, that at Evesham, Worcestershire, England, which has been very successful. Flowers, fruits and vegetables are brought there in cart and wagon loads, and are eagerly bought by the agents of commission and wholesale dealers, and are then forwarded to all the large cities and towns throughout England and Scotland.

I was born and brought up near the town of Evesham, which is the center of a very large area of country, principally cultivated in small fruits and flowers. Many hundreds of acres are rented in small lots, from half an acre up to ten acres each, for which a rent from $35 to $75 per acre (not including house, etc.) is paid. The soil is a very deep, rich black loam, which has been cultivated as garden land for several hundred years.

Double cropping is practiced a great deal. Frequently one may see three or four sorts of vegetables and flowers on the same piece of ground, maturing in succession.

Some ten years ago, nearly all the produce of this locality was sent by railway to certain salesmen who lived in the large cities and towns. These salesmen sold everything to the storekeepers for what they could get. Sometimes good prices were realized, at others not enough to pay freightage. Other growers took their produce 30 or 40 miles ; others more, in carts or wagons, and sold it to the storekeepers themselves, thus saving the commission and other expenses.

Some seven years ago a great change took place. A few growers collected and discussed the matter, and it was decided to induce an auctioneer to build a suitable building where anyone who choose could send anything they grew. Three days each week, and at a certain hour, he commenced to sell, and of course the highest bidder was the purchaser. This building is near the freight station; wholesale dealers and commission men in the different cities and towns appointed resident agents to attend the sales and buy up anything suitable for their particular markets.

At the present time, several auctioneers make a special business, every day, of selling garden produce in all the garden centers in Worcestershire. I know One grower who rents several hundred acres of land in that locality, who planted one year five acres of wallflowers to be retailed in his store in Manchester, more than one hundred miles from the farm. Very few send their produce to the commission agent now, as they can load up and send it to the sale shed, have it sold and receive their money in a few hours. There is no loss of time, no credit, no anxiety, no risk of transit. The purchaser repacks, loads on freight train, and forwards to destination. Three years ago when I left England the auction worked well, and both the seller and the buyer felt satisfied in every way. I may say that the flowers were mostly sent loose in baskets, each variety by itself ; some few were made up, but not many.

I cannot see why some such plan would not work well in America. Could not an auctioneer be induced to hold a sale once or twice a week in the large towns ? Such a practice would stimulate trade. A better class of stuff would be produced, the grower have a certain outlet for his produce and the dealer would make a better profit.

Minnesota. G. M. Stratton.