own
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 stagn