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Abstract
This report describes and analyzes the organization and marketing practices of shipping point markets for flowers in California and Florida. Personal interviews were conducted with 50 firms--27 in California and 23 in Florida. The North Central and Northeastern population centers were the major markets for both shipping points. Most California flowers were shipped by air; most Florida flowers were trucked, particularly to East Coast markets. Nearly all California shipments to wholesalers were direct sales; Florida shippers consigned a majority of their shipments. A number of Florida wholesalers import carnations, standard and pompon chrysanthemums, and gladioli from South America and Guatemala, and many growers from each of the shipping point markets expect important increases in foreign competition. Various aspects of market organization and practices are analyzed.