i am looking for the market size of the 'garden hose' market within
North America.  (i.e.  approximately how big is the garden hose
market?)

bingiwang..

Thanks for your interesting question.  According the 1997 US Economic
Census (the last one completed), there were 218 companies that
primarily engaged in manufacturing rubber hose and/or plastics
(reinforced) hose and belting from natural and synthetic rubber and/or
plastics resins.  This North American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) code is 32622, Rubber & plastics hoses & belting mfg.  This
sector generated $4,025,238,000 in sales and paid over 24,000
employees.  This was an increase of over 50% in revenue from the 1992
statistics.  You can see a breakdown of the sales locations of the
manufacturers as well as other data at the reference below.

Thanks again for your question.  If you need any additional
clarification, please let me know prior to rating my answer.

Search Strategy:
garden hoses sales statistics

Reference:
1997 Economic Census: 
NAICS 326220 
Rubber and plastics hoses and belting manufacturing
http://www.census.gov/epcd/ec97/industry/E326220.HTM

Just PERFECT.  Exactly what I wanted.  Thank you!