CORNISH DRY BULB TRADE
• [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sm,—In view of the number of inquiries I have received with referen& to Cornish grown bulbs, as a result of a recent article in the Spectator, would you be good enough to make the folloviing points clear'?
In the first place I should explain that I personally only act in an advisory capacity to the growers in the West, and as Secretary of the Western Commercial Horticultural Show; which primarily aims at improving the marketing and packing of Cornish flowers. We are, however, attempting to set up a trade with Cornish bulbs, and with a view to stimulating this we held a Dry Bulb Show in July of this year.
I have received numerous inquiries for bulb catalogues from people anxious to purchase small quantities of Cornish bulbs, and I am very grateful for the interest that is being taken in a new home industry. These names have been passed on to several Cornish growers who deal in this class of trade, and I presume, therefore, that everyone who has written me has received from some source or other a price list of Cornish grown bulbs.
I am hoping, however, that sooner or later machinery will be set up for dealing with a retail trade in Cornish bulbs. The present trade in Cornish bulbs is of a wholesale nature, growers preferring to sell by the cwt. or ton, or better varieties by the thousand, rather than deal with small purchasers. We also hope with the aid of an organization such as the Penzance Bulb Co-operative Society, of which Mr. Richard Tregonning of Ridgeoyean, Gulval, is Secretary, or some similar organization, to be able to cater for the needs of the small purchaser. If any of your readers have not received the supplies they desire, will they kindly accept this as an explanation and apology, and if they would get in touch with me earlier another year I might be able to get their needs supplied.—I am, Sir, &c., HY. W. ABBISS.
Horticultural Superintendent for Cornwall. County Hall, Truro.
[We wish all prosperity to the Cornish bulb trade. The Cornish climate is probably even better suited to bulb growing than that of Holland. Naturally experience counts for much, but enthusiasm and hard work should offset this factor in time.—En. Spectator.]
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