subject: The Holland Bulb Salesmen [print this page] The Holland Bulb Salesmen The Holland Bulb Salesmen
And we were saddened to learn of the rape of the Low Countries, and the flooding of the rich farm lands by the Germans. We also mourned when we heard that tulips were being fed to cattle, or used on the table in place of potatoes. We now know that these stories were exaggerated, and that, while Holland suffered greatly, the important bulb industry was saved almost intact.
The Germans were too smart to destroy a goose capable of laying such golden eggs as tulips and narcissuses, which they exported profitably to Sweden, Switzerland, and the homeland. It is true that tulips were eaten but not in large quantities, by hungry Hollanders whose plump frames had shrunken to gauntness. And the bulb districts could not be flooded because the lands lie above sea level, just behind the dunes that billow along the oceanfront.
The Germans did try to restrict the production of bulbs in Holland during the war so that more food would be grown. But the canny bulb growers started expanding production in 1944-six months before liberation came-and right under the Nazis' noses. The shrewd Dutch farmers had saved the newer and better varieties and sold off the older and cheaper stocks. Thus they had fair amounts to export last year, and now, in 1946, scores of Holland bulb salesmen have been calling on the American trade again, offering their wares in abundance and with fall delivery guaranteed.
These bulbs are said to be of excellent quality, and the prices are reasonable, in some cases less on new introductions than before the war. It is believed that about 60,000,000 bulbs were imported from Holland in 1945, as compared with a normal prewar importation of 100,000,000. What the figures will be this year no one knows exactly, but it will be not far below the normal prewar supply. Some items may be short, but on the whole there will be enough of almost every kind of bulb for everyone. American growers have been making great strides in recent years, in an effort to compete with the Holland growers, so that any scarcities in the imported supply will be to a large extent made up by the domestic production.
However, in order to be sure of obtaining a good selection, it would be well to order in advance of planting time just in case some kinds should be short or late in delivery.
David is the author of many articles including Best Friend Quotes and also the author of Best life quotes
