20 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
The National Nurseryman. 
C. L. YATES, Proprietor. RALPH T. OLCOTT, Editor. 
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY 
The National Nurseryman Publishing Co., 
ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
The only trade journal issued for Growers and Dealers in Nursery Stock of 
all kinds. It circulates throughout the United States and Canada. 
SUBSCRIPTION RATES. 
One Year, in advance.$i.oo 
Six Months.50 
Foreign Subscriptions. 1.25 
Six Months.75 
Advertising rates will be sent upon application. 
Entered in the Post-Office at Rochester, N. Y., as second class matter. 
ROCHESTER, N. Y., MARCH, 1893. 
THE NEW SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 
The appointment by Mr. Cleveland of J. Sterling 
Morton, of Nebraska, as Secretary of Agriculture, is 
generally conceded to be an excellent one. Mr. Morton’s 
interest in everything that pertains to trees is well known, 
and for this reason the nurserymen of the country will be 
especially pleased. Mr. Morton originated the idea of 
Arbor Day, which has been adopted in many states. It 
is owing to his exertions that Nebraska advanced so 
rapidly in the establishment of artificial groves, now 
having about 250,000 acres of growing forest and 800,000 
planted trees, besides a large area of fruit trees, grape 
vines, shrubs and minor plants. Already Mr. Morton has 
announced his intention of preparing suitable national 
forestry laws for recommendation to Congress. He will 
receive the support of the forestry organizations of the 
country. Mr. Morton says that in a generation the 
present timber supply of the country will be exhausted, 
unless measures for checking the waste and for planting 
new trees are promptly adopted. 
The good work accomplished by Secretary Rusk in 
developing the resources of the department from the 
small beginning of a bureau has shown great possibilities 
for advancement in the interests of nurserymen, and it is 
believed that Mr. Morton will take charge with enthusiasm, 
guided by experience, and will endeavor to keep pace and 
a little in advance of the wants of those interested in the 
work of the department. 
NECESSITY OF COMBINATION. 
The benefits to be derived from a combination of 
growers in certain localities about the country suggest 
themselves at once to all who will give the subject 
thought. There arise continually in connection with a 
consideration of the subject the obstacles to be overcome 
in securing unanimity of opinion as to the method by 
which such a result may be brought about. A prominent 
nurseryman of Western New York, one whose opinions 
are sought from all quarters upon various subjects con¬ 
nected with the trade, said recently that the organization 
could be effected at a meeting of the prominent growers 
of a section, when those growers had become so thor¬ 
oughly interested in the project that they could see, not 
only that it would be desirable, but that it would become 
a necessity. In the February issue of The National 
Nurseryman, some of the many benefits to be derived 
from such an organization as is proposed were alluded to. 
It is evident that within a comparatively short time 
growers and dealers will be forced to fall back upon some 
plan along these lines. The drift in that direction is 
indicated by the formation here and there of small asso¬ 
ciations for the mutual protection of the members. The 
discussions of those bodies are limited to measures that 
will benefit individuals, firms and companies, which are 
at the same time entering into sharp competition one 
with the other. The organization that is now proposed 
is for the purpose of effectually joining the issues of all in 
a central body, where the interests will be identical, and 
the line of operation of the members will be in conjunc¬ 
tion, instead of in competition with each other. As before 
stated, one office, one catalogue, one superintendent, 
foreman or manager, etc., would do the work now done 
by from twenty to fifty. 
The tendency in all trades and occupations is in this 
direction. Within the last month, the farmers of 
Western New York, the millers of the northern central 
states, the grape growers of Central New York, and half 
a dozen other interests all over the country have formed 
combinations for the purpose of reducing expenses, restor¬ 
ing prices, and securing concessions to which they are 
entitled, but which, as individuals, they were unable to 
obtain. The principle is adopted by municipalities, as 
seen in boards of trade, chambers of commerce, and 
similar institutions in which a trade or several trades 
operate in concerted action. 
Said a representative farmer at the recent meeting in 
this city, when a farmers’ organization was effected : 
If the farmers will submit to the system of grading, and let 
all products go on the markets on their merits, I think there can 
be little question that the farmers can organize and supply a line 
of products in the hands of a competent person to sell, which can 
be sold in the different markets to much better advantage than 
individual farmers can, who go into the markets with all grades of 
quality. If the farmers go into an organization of this kind, let 
them sell every product of their farms according to the established 
grades, and when we know that our barley is such a grade, and 
our wheat is such a grade, there will be little trouble in selling it 
for what it is worth. Just as soon as we can establish this fact, 
that products are to be sold on their merits, it will be a stimulus 
to every producer in this country, to put his products in the very 
best condition. 
Attention is called to the views on the subject of a 
consolidation of interests, by a prominent eastern nur¬ 
seryman, in another column. He refers in no uncertain 
