i89o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
389 
Business. 
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN. 
(RURAL SPECIAL REPORT.) 
This association convened in this city its 15th annual 
session on Wednesday morning, with members present 
from all parts of the United States, as well as from France, 
Holland, England and Scotland. While many of the 
papers, addresses and discussions were of interest only to 
nurserymen, there were many points touched upon of in¬ 
terest to fruit-growers and tree planters everywhere. 
Among the first resolutions was one to change the name 
of the association by adding the words “and Fruit- 
Growers.” This provoked much discussion, there being a 
great difference of opinion as to the advisability of includ¬ 
ing fruit-growers in the membership. The matter was 
finally referred to a committee. The committee afterward 
presented a majority report opposing the change, and this 
was adopted. Notwithstanding the evident reluctance of 
some nurserymen, many of whom are also fruit-growers, 
to affiliate with the fruit-growers pure and simple, nearly 
all of the entire proceedings were such as would be of as 
much interest to fruit-growers as to the nurserymen. 
U. S. Pomologist Van Deman gave a long/informal talk, 
interspersed with questions and discussions by the mem¬ 
bers upon the “ Question of New Fruits.” He urged the 
importance of more attention being paid to our wild fruits, 
from which so much of value has been gained in the past. 
He mentioned a large number of new plums, many of them 
promising, though of some he had formed his judgment 
from specimens sent him by the originators. Among 
others he spoke of the Burbank, originated by Luther 
Burbank, which was mentioned by the R. N.-Y. in connec¬ 
tion with a sketch of the originator in the issue of April 
12. Mr. Van Deman declared this plum to be the best he 
had ever seen, although it has not yet been grown outside 
of California. He recommended it as worthy of the atten¬ 
tion of nurserymen and fruit-growers everywhere. There 
was a great difference of opinion among the members as to 
the Kelsey Plum. There seem to be several varieties 
under that name. One nurseryman reported three dis¬ 
tinct varieties. The type seems not to be fixed. The 
variety first fruited in California in the nursery rows of 
Mr. Kelsey. One objectionable characteristic of all the 
Japanese plums is the fact that they bloom so early in the 
spring that they are liable to be injured by the late frosts. 
Mr. Van Deman said that they are as bad in this respect 
as the apricot. Tne Ogon and Satsuma were reported as 
succeeding well at the North. The Willard, a Japanese 
plum, holds its foliage remarkably well, thus insuring the 
perfect ripening of the fruit. Prunus Simonii is generally 
of poor quality, small size and not promising. The trees 
are all young yet, however, and may do better with age. 
The Clvman is another California plum as early as the Wild 
Goose, very promising, but it has not fruited in the East. 
But few varieties of grapes were considered. The Lyon, 
which originated in Michigan, and is named after the 
veteran pomologist, T. T. Lyon, was said to be much like 
the Delaware, nearly equaling the Catawba in flavor, 
though not a pure Labrusca. In answer to an inquiry 
about the Colerain, a variety of opinions was expressed, 
due, no doubt, to the fact that the variety is either badly 
mixed or else the grape is variable. Mr. Campbell said 
that it is a Labrusca and that the quality is good. Wood¬ 
ruff Red was generally conceded to be a good, thrifty 
grower, and destined to be a popular grape with the 
masses. No one was very emphatic as to its good quality, 
however. Green Mountain was called a good grower, early, 
hardy and promising, though liable to drop from the clus¬ 
ters. But few pears were noticed. The Krull, originating 
In Missouri, Mr. Van Deman said was the best winter 
pear he had ever seen. The quality is good; it is a long 
keeper and is unquestionably distinct. The Idaho “ has 
not been overrated. It is much like Duchess in size and 
shape ; its hardiness has not been sufficiently tested.” 
Several promising new apples were mentioned, most of 
them originating in the West. The Garfield, of uncertain 
origin, was recommended for trial in the northwest. The 
Lincoln is hardy in Illinois. The Shirk, originating in 
Indiana, is in season with the Bailey Sweet, is very sweet 
and high-colored and is excellent for a fall sweet apple. 
The Pullman, Mr. Van Deman pronounced the Red Can¬ 
ada and this decision was not disputed. The Ivanhoe is 
of poor quality but a long keeper. It keeps like a stone 
and is about as good. The Pepper is better than Pe- 
waukee, of which it is a seedling, being more hardy and 
worthy of trial. The Windsor, also of Wisconsin origin, 
is a medium-sized white-fleshed apple of good quality. 
Referring to the bloomless, seedless and coreless apples so 
frequently mentioned as great novelties, the pomologist 
said that they have no petals, have more pistils than 
stamens, and have large cores, generally open, into which 
he could insert his finger often half an inch. They con¬ 
tain seeds in the center and also around the cavity and 
have, in reality, two or three cores instead of one. They 
are entirely worthless except as novelties. He said that 
very few small fruits were received by the Department, as, 
from their perishable nature, it is impossible to send them 
any distance. He mentioned the Pearl Strawberry as 
being the best he had ever tried. E. Williams, of New 
Jersey, afterward exhibited samples of the Pearl which 
were very fine berries. 
Mr. Van Deman is very hopeful as to the future of nut 
culture and says that there is a large field to be occupied. 
California grows English walnuts, almonds and many 
others. Native chestnuts he considers superior to any of 
the European or Asiatic varieties. One native tree under 
his observation had produced from $30 to $50 worth of nuts 
annually. The Newton, Dupont or Rigsby, he considered 
good. The Paragon is the best, all things considered; it is 
not so good in quality as the Dupont, but still it is very 
good. If it is a foreign variety, it is a cross. It is hardy 
in northern New York. The Numbo was described as large, 
of poor quality, a foreign seedling raised in this country. 
The fact was mentioned that fine strains of chestnuts 
often deteriorate in size as the trees grow older, though 
this is not always the case. Several varieties of pecans 
were mentioned, among others the Mexican Paper-shell, 
which is three times the size of the common varieties. 
The Brown, originating in Florida, the Munson, in 
Texas, and the Pearl, a small variety as good in quality 
as any and superior in some respects, were mentioned. 
The culture of these is confined mostly to the South, 
, though they are growing to some extent as far North 
as Central Illinois. They are grown on black, rich 
alluvial soils. 
The Pomologist and several others agreed that “the 
Crandall Currant is a good thing,” larger than ordinary 
currants, but that there are several varieties. A large 
number were grown from the same lot of seed and others 
beside the Crandall were probably disseminated with it. 
Mr. Whiting, of South Dakota, said that similar currants 
were found along the Missouri in his State as far North as 
Pierre. 
Mr. Van Deman mentioned Japanese persimmons as a 
probable important market fruit, which has been sent to 
the New York market from Florida within two years. 
Several thousand trees are now planted. The varieties are 
badly mixed, there being about a dozen under five or six 
names. 
Other tropical fruits were mentioned which are culti¬ 
vated only in the extreme South, the most valuable varie¬ 
ties of which the Department is introducing. The Satsuma 
was mentioned as the hardiest edible orange, being as 
hardy as Loquat or Japanese plum. Some over-enthusias¬ 
tic individuals had predicted that this would succeed as 
far north as North Carolina; but Mr. Van Deman dis¬ 
couraged any such hopes. Lemons having sweet rinds 
have been introduced and are being successfully grown in 
Florida and South California. Mr. Van Deman said that 
every ounce of citron now used in this country is brought 
from the Mediterranean, but that every condition for its 
successful growth is found in Florida and Southern Cali¬ 
fornia. Fifteen choice varieties have been introduced and 
soon all needed will be grown in this country. The pomelo 
is another tropical fruit of which all heretofore grown 
were seedlings, but budded varieties are now being intro¬ 
duced. Cocoanuts are growing and fruiting in abundance 
along the Florida Coast, from Key West to Jupiter Inlet; 
but they are grown so cheaply and in such numbers on the 
neighboring West Indian Islands that not much commer¬ 
cial importance is attached to the future of this industry 
in the United States. Seventeen choice varieties have, 
however, been introduced. There are also 12 varieties of 
mangos in Southern Florida. 
Prof. Bailey, of Cornell University Experiment Station, 
spoke on root-grafting and budding, illustrating his re¬ 
marks by photographs. He took the ground, and his pho¬ 
tographs seemed to substantiate the claim, that trees root- 
grafted upon piece-roots were not so desirable as those 
grafted upon whole roots. The roots grew more prongy, 
had a tendency to grow more in one direction, and the small, 
fibrous roots upon which so much stress is laid by the tree 
planter are wanting. His views elicited much discussion 
from nurserymen, most of whom practice piece-root graft¬ 
ing. Some of the Western nurserymen claim that the piece- 
roots are more desirable with them, as trees upon whole 
roots make too much growth, and do not mature their 
wood and consequently winter-kill. This is a point well 
worthy of investigation by fruit-growers. It is quite 
probable that location, soil, manner of handling the trees, 
both in nursery rows and after planting in the orchard, 
and perhaps, also, varieties may have much to do with the 
matter. 
J. Jenkins of Ohio, while disclaiming to be a humorist, 
gave a paper upon “ Bugs that Bother Botanical Buccan¬ 
eers,” which provoked something more than broad smiles. 
The scientific names he gave nearly drove the reporters 
wild and caused the stenographer to give up in despair. 
If the bugs that infest Ohio are as fearful as the names 
given them, we fear for the result. 
G. E. Meissner, of Bushberg, Mo., answered the question 
Can Stock be Dug and Shipped too Early in the Fall, in 
the affirmative. Great injury often results from digging 
trees before they are properly matured. The practice 
should be discouraged. Mr. Meissner offered the follow¬ 
ing preamble and resolution: Whereas, the practice of 
digging and shipping deciduous trees, vines and shrubs at 
an unusually early time in the fall and before such stock 
has come to a proper stage of maturity, making it entirely 
safe for removal, is highly prejudicial to the best interests 
of the nurseryman as well as to those of the planter, and 
whereas, such a practice is tending to create a general dis¬ 
trust and disregard of all fall planting; Resolved, that we, 
as American nurserymen in convention assembled, disap¬ 
prove and protest against such practices and request our 
members to discourage and discountenance the same at 
every opportunity. This resolution provoked much dis¬ 
cussion, some of the nurserymen claiming that the reason 
for the practice rested with the planters themselves. 
the best results. It is an old-established fact that the 
wealth of this or any other country originates from the 
soil, and it would seem that the way to bring about the 
greatest gain in this special product must be of great 
value to our readers in the hay-growing districts,and there 
is no good reason why the farmer who gives as much care¬ 
ful attention and study to his farm as a merchant does to 
hiswares should not reapthe same benefits. The merchant 
will not buy more goods than he can see a fair prospect 
of selling to good advantage ; neither will he take damaged 
or inferior goods except at greatly reduced prices, as he 
well knows that he must make correspondingly low prices 
in order to move them. Why should the farmer not do 
the same in hisjline of business ? One of the great obstacles 
to profit in growing hay for the past few years has been over¬ 
production of unsound and Inferior goods. It must be 
remembered by the grower that it costs as much to market 
poor goods as those of the best quality, and while the 
former will cause an actual loss the latter will bring a 
profit. Indeed it would be better to keep the poor goods 
on the farm and feed them there, as they could then, no 
doubt, be made to cover cost, while their retention would 
relieve the market of an element that is sure not only to 
make a loss, but to have a depressing effect on the prices 
of good goods. If all growers would fully consider these 
facts, we think that not only would they themselves be 
the gainers, but the parties handling the goods would be 
relieved of what is a burden and the actual cause of nearly 
all complaints in regard to sales. 
Working Bulls. —How to handle and so care for bulls 
on a farm that they can be safely handled and kept in good 
health and be sure getters is a serious question to many 
men. I have a friend on Long Island who has worked this 
point “ down fine.” He has two bulls, registered Jerseys, 
three or four years old. Last year he yoked them up, and 
in less time than would seem possible, he had them work¬ 
ing like old oxen. He sold his extra team of horses, and 
his bulls take their place on the road or on the farm; they 
plow, harrow or haul hay to market, and are just as ser¬ 
viceable in the herd as before. It Is something of an 
undertaking to break grown bulls; but how would it do to 
begin on the bulls as calves ? F. H. C. 
IMPLEMENT NOTES. 
Wheel-House. —Ac Figure 130 we show a wheel-house 
in use by Isaac Hicks & Son, which allows a lumber wagon 
to turn very short. It is made of iron, about one-fourth 
of an inch thick and in shape is like a quarter of a hollow 
sphere, with a flange containing bolt-holes for fastening it 
to the wagon-box. With this attachment a long-geared 
THE HAY BUSINESS. 
This seems to be a trade by itself, and as it represents 
one of the largest products of this country, it is strange 
that so little attention had been paid to it up to a year 
ago, when a movement was brought about for its improve¬ 
ment by Mr. Willis Bullock, of Canajobarie, N. Y., who, 
after a number of years of actual experience in the trade, 
determined to make an effort to remedy some of the exist¬ 
ing defects. The organizing of an association of the ship¬ 
pers of the State of New York was the result of his under¬ 
taking, and is undoubtedly a forerunner of what is to 
come in the way of educating the growers or producers of 
hay with regard to what should be done to bring about 
Fig. 130. 
lumber wagon can be turned in nearly as small a space as 
a buggy; in fact, in the space usually taken to turn when 
the box is removed. An immense amount of time is saved, 
and the strain upon the wheels is removed by this simple 
and inexpensive device. 
Keystone Reversible Disk Harrow.— This machine 
is “ all steel and iron ” except the tongue. It is really two 
harrows in one, as it can be adjusted to “ throw in ” or 
“throw out” by a simple arrangement. The disk gangs 
can be set close together if need be, and thus cut all the 
ground. 
Cushion Spring eor Wind-Mill Pump Rods.— The 
U. S. Wind Engine & Pump Co., of Batavia, Ill., has 
brought out a new device that promises to find great favor 
with all who use wind-mill pumps. Those who use this 
power for pumping know that in variable winds there are 
liable to be sudden and heavy jars to the pump. With 
this cushion spring, which is double-acting, and thus pro¬ 
duces a uniform strain both on the up and down stroke, 
such jars are prevented and the life of tbe pump is 
lengthened. 
Feed Mills, Wind-Mill Power.—I have used a feed 
mill for the last six years. Whether its use will pay or not 
will depend somewhat on the man who uses it. Some men 
have no taste for machinery and would rather draw their 
feed to town than use a machine of their own. I use a 
sweep power with six horses and can grind from 13 to 15 
bushels per hour, though I have never measured or timed 
the operation'exactly. I think it pays me well, as it takes 
no longer to grind an ordinary load of feed at home than to 
draw it to a mill, and I save the toll. I feed but little 
grain whole, and I have no horses or cows that will grind 
whole grain. When it is fed whole a large part is 
wasted. Are wind-mills as power for grinding, satisfac¬ 
tory? How large awheel should be used to do the work of 
six horses? H. o. 
R. N.-Y.—We will endeavor to find all the information 
we can concerning wind-mill power for grinding. Can our 
readers help us ? 
Fruit Sorters. —We have had a good deal to say about 
the advantage of using potato sorters. With one of these 
cheap and simple implements a boy can sort more potatoes 
than five men could sort by hand, and the potatoes will 
be more perfectly sorted too. Everybody who has ever 
sorted potatoes knows that the eye becomes confused 
after hours of work and that many small potatoes find 
their way into the “ marketable ” bin. With the sorter 
this is impossible, because the hole through which the 
small potatoes drop, never changes and never becomes 
tired. Fruit sorters are now made for grading plums, 
peaches, oranges or apples. The fruit is poured in at the 
