58 
Gardeners and Florists’ Annual for i9f8 
Under date of Aug. 29, a cablegram was received from the Hague, 
the Netherlands, advising that the Dutch Government had forbidden 
the exportation of flower bulbs. This order was later rescinded by 
the Dutch Government, and on Sept. 24 the S. S. Waaldyk arrived at 
New York with 23,000 cases of bulbs. This was followed several weeks 
later by the S. S. Scheedyk, with 21,000 cases of bulbs. 
* * * 
The French Government, under date of Aug. 24, issued a decree 
forbidding the exportation or re-exportation of trees, shrubs, or other 
nursery stock, except to the United States and the Allied countries. 
« 
On Aug. 21 President Wilson issued a proclamation fixing prices 
of bituminous and anthracite coal. These prices became effective on 
Aug. 21 for bituminous and Sept. 1 for anthracite, and the order 
included export and bunker coal. The prices were provisional, sub^ject 
to revision in cases where mines could prove that they could not pro- 
duce coal at these prices except at a loss. The matter of regulations 
concerning the production and distribution of coal were put in charge 
of H. A. Garfield, who was appointed U. S. Fuel Administrator. 
* * * 
In order to relieve congestion, caused by the unprecedented use 
of the railroads by the Government for the movement of troops and 
supplies and the heavy shipments of merchandise made by shippers who 
usually sent by freight, the express companies declared various embargoes. 
These lasted for a day or more at a time and were principally put in 
force in the larger cities. * « * ^ 
The Pennsylvania State authorities in September placed an em- 
bargo on shipments of certain evergreen trees from New England, 
commonly used for Christmas decorations, forbidding their importa- 
tion into Pennsylvania in order to prevent the introduction of the gypsy 
moth into that State. 
* * * 
Because the U. S. Government had commandeered a portion of 
its fleet, the Great Lakes Transit Corporation suspended service on 
the lakes between Buffalo, Erie, Detroit and other Lake Michigan ports. 
* * * 
The Secretary of the Treasury announced, on Oct. 6 , that the 
Bureau of War Risk Insurance had reduced its rates on all American 
steamers and cargoes traversing the war zone, from 6 V 2 per cent, to 
5 per cent., because of the decrease in the risks. 
* ♦ 
On Oct. 9 a delegation of New York and Philadelphia florists met 
the vice-presidents of the American, the Adams, the Wells-Far go and 
Southern Express Companies to discuss the express situation, especially 
in relation to Christmas shipments. The express companies representa- 
tives explained the difficulties under which they were working and it 
seemed to be the general opinion of 'the florist attending the meeting 
that it would be best to leave the matter in the hands of the companies, 
to do the best they could under the circumstances. 
* * * 
The S. A. F. Committee on Tariff and Legislation reported that 
upon protest of the Orchid Growers’ Ass’n, that fumigation damaged 
