Contents: 1.The National Economy 1.1. The Gross National Product 1.2. Agriculture and economic growth 1.3. Case study illustrations of horticulture in the national economy 2. Price 2.1. Demand 2.2. Supply 2.3. Interaction of demand and supply 3. Marketing 3.1. The markets 3.2. Grower organisations 3.3. Retailing 4. Production 4.1. The firm 4.2. Input-output relationships 4.3. Risk and uncertainty 5. Resources 5.1. Capital 5.2. Land 5.3. Labour 6. Organising production 6.1. The behaviour of costs 6.2. Determining the quantity of resources to use 6.3. Determining which product or crop to grow 6.4. Planning techniques 7. Location 7.1. Intranational trade 7.2. International trade 7.3. Case studies of location 8. Policy 8.1. Producer incomes 8.2. The mechanisms of government policies 8.3. Case studies of horticultural policy Appendixes Further Reading Index This text provides a concise but comprehensive introduction to the science of economics in commercial horticulture. It has been designed to suit the needs of those taking the National Diploma in Horticulture, the revised syllabus of which places a greater emphasis on science, the new Higher National Diploma or degree courses at universities. The discussion ranges over a wide field, from the individual business to the growth and development of the horticultural industry on a national basis. Price and market mechanisms, location and international trade.