Since the end of the World War II, there is a rapidly growing demand for flower production in Japan, in response to which new floriculture areas have developed in the districts favoured by climatic conditions in addition to those old ones in the suburbs of cities. Of the flowers shipped to Sendai, 55% are from its distant environs, the rest being from its outskirts. Some differences can be observed between the products from these two areas in their kinds, prices and seasons in which to be transported. The object of the present study is to analyze the flower producing areas on the outskirts of Sendai from the standpoint of their location factors and farm management.
The floriculture in these areas show various types from intensive green-house culture which needs much labour, capital and skill, to rather extensive culture on open-air-farms, The former covers 3, 689 tsubo, and the latter 249 tan, including the acreage of ordinary fields where flowers are grown as a part of crop rotation. To these types can be added the collection of wild-flower for sale. The agricultural households in the suburbs engaged in the floriculture are either those who want to increase cashincome by using surplus labour in winter, or those whose farms are small and are trying hard to earn more income per unit acreage by adopting floriculture. The suburban floricultural areas can be classified into the following 4 types based on the conditions of floricultural location, the process of development, the ways of management and kinds of flowers cultured.
Area A : It is a producing area within the city where the culture has been carried on since the pre-war period and its products are potted plants, early-blooming flowers and ornamental trees, Intensive culture on small-scale farms aiming increased income per unit area is characteristic of this area.
Area B : It is located in a dry-field area, where in rotation with ordinary crops are cultured flowers with shorter growing period and growable in the open-air fields. They can be encashed in a rather brief time. The flowers are mainly those which are offered before the graves and family alters, and the demand for them is comparatively stable. The raising of ornamental trees which is carried on on the slopes, also prevalent in the area.
Area C : It is a green house culture area which appeared recently, and has developed in the area of vegetables. By the technical aid of the forerunners in the area stress is laid at present on the production of cut-flowers. The distinctive feature of the culture in this area is the use of surplus in winter.
Area D : This area, where greem-houses with artificial heating are used for growing, is the oldest of such floricultural management in Tohoku. The most advanced management is carried on here in its combination with rice growing. A shift of production can lately be observed from cut-flowers to potted plants which require more intensive care.
