Harley and Sons

HARLEY & SONS, Fruiterers, Florists, and Seedsmen, Covent Garden, 369, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

    The eminent progress that has been effected in the seed and floricultural trade, as one of the most prosperous branches of national industry, has been largely contributed to by the enterprise of those who have successfully combined the resources of home growth and production with the more commercial phases of the industry ; and there is no better existing example of this than in the operations of the old and influential concern of Messrs. Harley and Sons, a house which has been prominently and creditably identified with the fruit, flower, and seed trade of Scotland since the year 1851. Messrs. Harley are not only seed and flower merchants but are also extensive growers, and we believe that their vineyards and nurseries at Vinehill, Perth, Camperdown, Broughty Ferry, are unrivalled in extent and capacity, as they are already more than famous for the excellent varieties of plants, flowers, and fruit dainties that are cultivated in their prolific soils.

    Messrs. Harley have three branch establishments exclusively devoted to business purposes : at 1, George Street, Perth ; 29, Reform Street, Dundee ; and 68, South Clerk Street, Edinburgh ; and each of these establishments — known by the title “Covent Garden” — presents a study in rich display as well as artistic arrangement, and, whether in summer or winter seasons, the houses are invested with a luxuriance in floral beauty and taste that the most uncultured would at once admire. The whole establishments bear so many features of similarity in setting, appointment, design, and floral elaboration, that a stranger in either of the towns mentioned would at once recognise the premises of Messrs. Harley and Sons. In the summer seasons especially Messrs. Harley present to an admiring public most attractive arrays of those fresh cut flowers and salads which mark the advent of Spring ; and are invariably first in the market with the best products of their own gardens and nurseries.

    The Sauchiehall Street establishment is both extensive and handsome. From the commanding double frontage it presents to that busy thoroughfare, it extends rearwards over a very considerable distance, the windows and interior being at all times replete with floral and fruit attractions of great excellence and variety. The bulk of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers is received direct from Covent Garden, London, and the beauty and attractiveness of the daily consignments impart to the house an appearance not unworthy of the great metropolitan flower centre from which it derives its name. Many of the flowers and the greater part of the grapes are brought from the firm’s own nurseries, and these illustrate all the most exquisite items in northern floriculture and fruit cultivation. All the year round Messrs. Harley are enabled to provide the product of the vine unaffected in price by any fluctuation of the season. The same may be said of their salads and vegetables, which have become one of the most important features of the firm’s merchandise, while as floral decorators they maintain resources and facilities that may be aptly described as unsurpassed.

    Dinner and supper tables, wedding breakfasts, and other festive occasions are provided for with an exactitude that is best assured in the firm’s own cultured perception and taste with reference to the requirements of each case. Posies and bouquets, composed of rare and choice exotics and blossoms, are draped and arranged with artistic taste, and in strict accordance with the formula of prevalent fashions. Similar artistic precision is observed in the adaptation of memorial wreaths, crosses, and chaste funeral decorations to each particular occasion of solemnity, and Messrs. Harley carry out this department of the business with the facility and promptitude which the charming and unique varieties of their nurseries render available. It would be impossible within present space limits to detail the many interesting features of a business and industry where the characteristics of perfection are so notable in every department. The firm’s catalogues afford an exhaustive and interesting index to the several items of seed and floral trade which they have specialised ; and a view of their nurseries is a delightful privilege to all who can admire the magnificent stocks therein exhibited in process of cultivation.

    Probably one of the most notable features of this eminent and widely-supported business is presented in the fact that it is directed under the administration and guiding power of Mr. William Harley, by whom it was founded upwards of 40 years ago. He has witnessed the whole developments of the trade during that lengthy period, and has evinced continuous enterprise in the expansion of his business from its unpretentious inauguration to its present commercial distinction and magnitude. He now receives able and active assistance from his sons Louis, Eben, and John Harley who all combine to maintain the high repute and prestige of the firm. Mr. Eben Harley is entrusted with the management of the Glasgow section of the business, and is well known among an influential clientele all over the West of Scotland for his zealous interest in all matters affecting the progress of the trade, with which his name and the name of the house he represents have been long and creditably identified. They have had the honour on several occasions of making bouquets and posies for Her Majesty, the Princess of Wales, and other ladies of the Royal Family.

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