SECRETAIIY'S PORTFOLIO. 307 



transportation, but also of ignorance of local wants and demands. Hence we 

 think that any action looking toward a systematic shaping of the course 

 of this trade, and equalizing the distribution of stock, thus helping to make 

 the demand and supply equal, will result in great benefit not only to members, 

 but also to the public. Ko one can dis})ute the wisdom of bringing producer 

 and consumer into close relationship. This rule is axiomatic, and it applies 

 %vitli special force to our trade. It is only a wholesome check to liumau nature 

 that nurserymen should feel a certain resposibility for the future of their stock 

 and be answerable for reasonably good results. And in the purchase of trees, 

 the value of which can only be determined by one or many years of trial, it is 

 wise and right to inspire the purchaser with confidence by a personal knowl- 

 edge of his sources of supply. We therefore urge upon our brother nursery- 

 men the importance of coming into as close connection with their customers, 

 having personal acquaintance with their wants, and a conscientious purpose to 

 meet them, as may be possible. This is the most legitimate and by far the 

 most economical method of selling trees by the producer to the consumer at 

 first hands. Still it remains true that, owing to the sluggishness of a large 

 portion of the public in buying what they really need, and also owing to the 

 vast space of our country, the necessity for traveling agents to j^ush sales, is 

 felt to be a necessary method. While we deprecate any sjjecial legislation to 

 prevent the abuse of this method, we do believe there are now, or should be, 

 such general laws as will protect the public from the gross frauds which have 

 been so frequently practiced, and we also believe it is within the province of 

 this association to devise methods to prevent such frauds, and to expose them 

 when found. As expressing the sentiment of this association upon this sub- 

 ject, we recommend the passing of the following resolutions: 



Hesolced., Th.it carefully prepared statistics of the sources and the amount of stock 

 likely to come upon the market, together witii estimates of the probable demand, 

 would tend greatly to equalize prices and also to develop careful culture of special- 

 ties in the trade. 



Besolved, That we recognize the importance of a high standard of honor and re- 

 sponsibilit}' among nurserymen, not merely in supplying the wants of the public, 

 but also in protecting against all novelties, excepting such as we have reason to be- 

 lieve liave intrinsic merit. We do this claiming that with us it is specially true 

 that honesty is the best policy. 



Besolved, That among the means of selling stock we cannot at present dispense 

 with traveling agents, who are the efficient means of largely increasing the amount 

 of trees planted, and upon whom we must rely, as is true with all similar profes- 

 sions, for the dissemination of our stock. 



Besolved, That while we deplore the tendency to exaggerate and misrepresent, 

 on the part of unscrupulous dealers, yet we can assert with confidence that there are 

 inany honorable and entirely reliable dealers who are worthy of confidence, and 

 should have the encouragement of all nurserj'men and tree planters. 



Besolved, That nurserymen should as far as possible control the grading and label- 

 ing of trees vrhen packed upon their own grounds, and use all other available means 

 to do justice to tlie purchaser and planter. 



Besolved, That we recommend all nurserymen to authorize by proper certificate 

 and letter their regular agents or dealers found worth}', and use all proper endeavors 

 to expose dishonest and disreputable swindlers. 



Besolved, That the members of this association will use their best endeavors to 

 .accomplish the above results. 



