FORUM 



Summer Meeting — Celebrating Renewal 



A gala introduction to the new — and ongoing — renovations at the UNH 

 Research Greenhouses was a highhght of this year's Summer Meeting. But 

 there were other highlights — the traditional tailgate trade show, exhibits of 

 current research, tours of the university and its research facilities. 



Mid-morning, on the lawn in front of the greenhouses, UNH presi- 

 dent Joan Leitzel welcomed NHPGA members and expressed hope for 

 more connection between the university and the state's Green Industry. 

 Plaques and life memberships were given to Bob Bergevin, John Carpen- 

 ter, and Read Parmenter, long-time NHPGA supporters. Robert Demers, 

 outgoing president, was recognized for his services. 



Later in the day, the annual auction gained the scholarship fund 

 $1400.00. The day ended with the drawing for the door prizes. Hardy's 

 Greenhouse won the Ball Red Book; Bruce Marriott, a radio; and Jeff 

 Huntington, a color television. 



Many people were involved in organizing this day. Dr. Paul Fisher 

 planned and coordinated the event. David Goudreault, assistant man- 

 ager of the greenhouses, and other members of the university commu- 

 nity — people in plant biology. Cooperative Extension, the Thompson 

 School horticulture curriculum — all played a part. Vendors, NHPGA 

 members, and our fine auctioneer Peter Callioris contributed. All de- 

 serve our thanks and appreciation. 



Within the last few years, many biological products have been 

 introduced in the horticulture industry. I applaud the efforts 

 of everyone in getting these to the marketplace. Any new product 

 that can make our work more efficient and safer for our workers 

 and environment should be researched. 



Unfortunately, because biologicals do not need to go through the 

 rigorous testing of conventional pesticides, growers are not receiving 

 the full information on these products. Very little university testing 

 has occurred. In many cases, because EPA is not involved in label- 

 ing these products, there is no university testing to support their 

 claims. Universities have the capability of inoculating various pests 

 in a controlled environment — something a grower in a production 

 range is not capable of doing. 



Growers have the idea that when they purchase these products, they 

 are receiving controls. But unless the pest is present, there is no way of 

 knowing if the product is actually controlling any of the pests claimed 

 on the label. Recent data I received from Michigan State and the Uni- 

 versity of Connecticut show that some of these products are no better 

 than the control. It is important to request data from an independent 

 source that compares the new product to industry standards. 



Most conventional pesticides today are far safer than most things 

 that are involved in our daily lives. Gasoline, aspirin, and salt are 

 far more toxic than most products in your pesticide locker. I don't 

 condone the indiscriminate use of pesticides any more than that of 

 gasoline or table salt. 



Jim Zablocki, technical manager of the Northern Horticultural Group, 

 Scotts Company, welcomes comments, he can be reached at 603-224-5583. 



We thank the vendors 

 who participated: 



Acorn Ridge Nursery 



Ball Seed Company 



B.E. Supply 



BioTherm 



Bobcat of New Hampshire 



Bramen Company 



Cannon Equipment 



Cavicchio Greenhouses 



Charter Oak Landscape 



Chestnut Hill Marketing 



The Conard-Pyle Company 



Davis Brook Farm 



The Don Ward Company 



D.S. Cole Growers 



Ednie Flower Bulbs 



Fafard 



First Pioneer Farm Credit 



Fletcher Granite Company 



Florists Mutual Insurance 



Four Seasons Marketing 



Fuller Systems 



GCS Sales 



Gold Star Sod Farm and Nursery 



Griffin Greenhouse and Nursery 



Supplies 

 Harry Stoller and Company 

 Hop River Nursery 

 Imperial Nurseries 

 Jolly Farmer 

 Jolly Gardener Products 

 K&S Associates Greenhouse Supply 

 Laughton's Nursery 

 Les Serres Rosaire Pion et Fils 

 Liberty International Truck 

 Millane Nurseries 

 Millican Nurseries 

 NE Nursery Sales 

 Northeast Nursery 

 Northern Nurseries 

 OESCO 



Pleasant View Gardens 

 Preforma Sales 

 Pot Specialists 

 Prides Corner Farms 



Retail Service Company 

 Rimol Greenhouse Systems 

 The Robert Barker Company 

 Rough Brothers 

 Tuckahoe Turf Farms 

 Van Berkum Nursery 

 Vermont Natural Ag Products 

 Western Maine Nurseries 

 W.H. Minkowski 

 Winding Brook Nursery 

 Yoder Brothers 



THE PLANTSMAN 



