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tyteett *J6*t**t& Ttarueny, Inc. 



3990 Blairs Ferry Road N.E. 

 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402 



Telephone (319) 393-5565 



November 24, 1993 



Mr Steve Phillips 

 Iowa State ASCS 

 10500 Buena Vista Court 

 Urbandale, Iowa 50322 



Dear Mr. Phillips, 



I wanted to follow-up on our telephone conversation yesterday. You 

 Know that I am very concerned about the rates that are set for 

 nursery crops that were lcsi due to the flooding.- 



When we spoke about the rates, I talked at length about the huge 

 difference in values of specific varieties of plants. For example, 

 that it would be very unfair to our growers to lump together all 

 trees, regardless of variety, that are two- inch trunk diameter into 

 one price category. W~ talked about the price difference between 

 silver maple and ginkgo, white pine and grafted varieties of blue 

 spruce . 



I understand that you do not have the background and should not be 

 expected to have the expertise to appreciate the value cf specific 

 varieties of plants; therefore, I do not know jf the examples that 

 we discussed had any significant meaning. Perhaps I should have 

 used cars as the example. You would never dream of putting the 

 same price on a Ford Escort and a Lincoln Continental, even though 

 both are automobiles, both are made by Ford, both may be red in 

 color, or both may be sitting on the sair.e dealer's lot. A very 

 significant price difference exists between the twe cars and the 

 saae is true with tree.- . 



I am pleased thai, you have turned to Dr lies from Iowa State 

 University to provide suggestions for the rates. While he is aery 

 knowledgeable, I believe that more than one person should be 

 involved in establishing rates. That is why I requested that you 

 6end a copy of the proposed rates to me so that I can get some 

 input from others who are directly involved in the nursery 

 industry. I am also concerned that Dr. lies has had only a week or 

 two to develop the rates. There are many varieties of plants ^nd 

 ifny prices to survey in order to 6et accurate rates. This must 

 not be done haphazardly. 



know you said that the rat 



t be sent to Washington , D . C . for 



