BULLETINS OF THE ELEVENTH CENSUS. 469 



and many others cultivated in a small way to supply a special or local 

 demand. In the final report it will be the endeavor to give a detailed 

 statement regarding each class of production, insect enemies, remedies, 

 etc. As to the profits in the business from the different classes of plants, 

 80 per cent, of the reports mention roses as most profitable, carnations 

 second, and violets third, while 20 per cent, rank carnations first, roses 

 second, and violets third. 



HORTICULTURE.— NURSERIES. 



Bulletin No. 109. 



Herewith is presented a preliminary report, prepared by Mr. J. H. 

 Hale, special agent under the direction of Mr. Mortimer Whitehead, 

 special agent in charge of horticulture, upon the nursery industry of the 

 United States, which has for the first time been made a subject of census 

 investigation. The material from which these statistics are compiled was 

 obtained direct from the nurserymen, upon schedules specially prepared 

 for that purpose, and by personal visits of special agents to nursery estab- 

 lishments in all parts of the country. These figures are subject to revision 

 before publication in the final report. 



From the tabulations in this bulletin it appears that there are in the 

 United States 4,510 nurseries, valued at $41,978,835.80 and occupying 

 172,806 acres of land, with an invested capital of $52,425,669.51, and giving 

 employment to 45,657 men, 2,279 women, and 14,200 animals, using in the 

 propagation and cultivation of trees and plants $990,606.04 worth of 

 implements. Of the acreage in nurseries 95,025.42 were found to be used in 

 growing trees, plants, shrubs, and vines of all ages; and the figures, based 

 upon the best estimate of the nurserymen, make the grand total of plants 

 and trees 3,386,855,778, of which 518,0 L6,612 are fruit trees, 635,603,396 

 grapevines and small fruits, and the balance nut, deciduous, and evergreen 

 trees, hardy shrubs, and roses. The largest acreage is devoted to the pro- 

 duction of apple trees, viz: 20,232.75 acres, numbering 240,570,666 young 

 trees, giving an average of 11,890 per acre, while the plum, pear, and peach 

 have, respectively, 7,826.5, 6,854.25, and 3,357 acres, producing 88,494,367, 

 77,223,402, and 49,887,894 young trees, or an average of 11,307, 11,266, and 

 14,861 trees to the acre. 



The table showing the date of establishment and the columns in the 

 various tables of production indicating the per cent, of increase clearly 

 prove the steady growth of this industry, while the great increase in the 

 planting of large orchards and the constantly developing taste and demand 

 for fruit and ornamental trees, vines, shrubs, and plants for home adorn- 

 ment assures the continued growth and prosperity of this industry. 



Robert P. Porter, 



Superintendent of Census. 



