THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
7 
J. M. UNDERWOOD. 
J. M. Underwood, whose portrait we present in this 
issue, is president of the Jewell Nursery Co., of Lal^ 
City, Minnesota. Mr. Underwood’s connection with the 
nursery business dates back to i86i. He was extremely 
fortunate in that his early education in this line was 
derived from the late Dr. P. A. Jewell, who was probably 
the most thorough and practical horticulturist in the 
Northwest. Having grown up in the nursery business, 
Mr. Underwood is thoroughly familiar with all the de¬ 
tails of planting and growing nursery stock. He has 
devoted a great deal of time to the selection and propa¬ 
gation of what may be termed the hardy, iron-clad 
varieties, adapted to the cold climate of the Northwest. 
He has given particular attention to the propagation of 
new and promising varieties of apples, plums, currants, 
etc. Among these are the Okabena apple, a seedling of 
the Duchess, and the North Star Currant, a valuable 
seedling of the Victoria. A number of very promising 
specialties are held back until they can be given a thor¬ 
ough test to demonstrate their value. It is impossible 
for one not familiar with the nursery business in a severe 
cold climate to comprehend the obstacles and difficulties 
to be overcome in establishing a large enterprise like the 
Jewell Nursery Co. Starting in 1868 with ten acres, the 
plant now comprises over one thousand acres, two hun¬ 
dred and fifty acres of which are devoted to raising a 
general line of nursery stock, the balance consisting of 
farm lands, residence property, pastures, etc. In 1884, 
the Jewell Nursery Co. was incorporated and added a 
herd of thoroughbred Holstein-Friesian cattle, which 
has grown to be an important branch of the business. 
Mr. Underwood, as president of this corporation, 
has developed a rare business ability. He is a man of 
broad, progressive views, ever ready to lend a helping 
hand to any worthy enterprise. He is a keen observer 
and close reader, and he has rendered much valuable 
service to the cause of horticulture and floriculture. He 
is now serving his third term as president of the Minne¬ 
sota State Horticultural Society and he is in the prime 
of life ; he will continue to exert a marked influence in 
the horticultural interests of the Northwest. 
VALUE OF FRUIT. 
Professor H. bP Van Deman, pomologist of the U. S. 
Department of Agriculture says ; “ When we think of it 
there is nothing the human system needs and craves so 
much as good water. If it is inside.beautifully tinted wrap¬ 
pers, the skins of strawberries, peaches, plums, pears, apples, 
oranges, lemons, etc., combined with nutritious food and 
healthful acids, it is the more relished. Think of the price 
we pay for what is little le.ss than water, colored and flavored 
by nature so as to be pleasing to the eye and to the palate. . 
To the fruit grower let me gwe encouragement to go on 
J. M. UNDERWOOD. 
supplying the public demand. Try to make your.fruit as 
large and luscious as possible, and be assured that it will be 
appreciated, and in most cases well paid for. Keep your 
land as rich as possible and you will thus produce fruit at 
the least cost. The most expensive fruit to the grower is 
the poorest he raises, especially if badly packed.” 
In response to inquiry concerning commercial peach 
growing in Michigan, Prof. L. R. Taft says in American 
Gardening: “ Peaches can be grown with profit in every 
county from Berrien to Grand Traverse along the lake shore; 
Allegan and Van Buren counties probably lead in the 
amount exported. Peaches are being planted largely near 
.Niles, and in favorable locations are proving profitable. In 
the vicinity of Benton Harbor, South Haven, Grand Haven, 
Muskegon, Whitehall, Shelb}', and Hart, they are grown 
extensively. In some seasons the crop is even better in 
the interior than on the lake shore'’; the counties mo.st 
largely engaged in the business being Washtenaw, Jackson, 
Hillsdale, Calhoun, Clinton, Ionia and Kent. 
•i 
Among the v’er}’ best tree labels is a strip of zinc an inch 
wide and three inches long. The name may be written with 
a common lead pencil and is very durable—sometimes' last¬ 
ing for many years. ' 
