The Chrysantheums

The story in general was rather dry. However, I did enjoy the part about how they worked on the wagons and so forth. Some of this story was a little confusing. This also could be just a mere fact that I was not too interested in it. On page 637 paragraph 85,it speaks on Elisa lowering her prices to rival the other person. If I was that other person, I would have just said " Ok fine lower your prices, but my work speaks and sells for itself." That would just be me thought, because I am confident in my work. Also, what exactly do those plants do for us humans? It speaks on "Septmeber buds", what exactly are the buds for? What do they do? Are these plants edible or medicinal?