34 
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.ifi.oo 
Six Months. 5 ° 
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., APRIL, 1893. 
STATE OF TRADE. 
The spring of 1893 finds the growers viewing with 
apprehension the overproduction of stock of standard 
varieties, and consequent low prices. The peculiarities 
of the nursery business make it impossible to hold stock 
for a better market, and therefore there has been the 
usual distribution, but at prices that leave little profit, 
when the exigencies of the business are considered. 
The country has been flooded with cheap stock and the 
conservative, honest grower has found that the shrewd¬ 
est management has failed to produce the measure of 
success he had reason to expect. Indeed, the question 
has been resolved into one of how to get through with 
the least loss. Most growers are unable to see how a 
change for the better is to come, although, of course, 
such a change is expected. The relief may come in the 
fall when it is possible there will be shortages on some 
varieties in certain sections. A prominent nurseryman 
of this city said last week : “There is no doubt of a 
depressing state of trade throughout the country, but I 
am of the opinion that the matter will adjust itself. 
Nurserymen will not go to the expense repeatedly of 
producing that for which there is no demand. There 
are indications that 33^ per cent, less stock will be 
grown this spring, and that next spring there will be 
still less. It is hardly likely that many on this account 
will undertake in certain sections to grow heavily and 
run the risk of failing to dispose of their stock.” 
THE TIME IS FAVORABLE. 
There is little doubt that within a comparatively 
short time some means for overcoming the causes that 
continue to hold prices at a low point will be devised. 
Leading growers see the necessity for action and are 
discussing measures. Those who are far-seeing are tak¬ 
ing the initiative, but it is difficult to bring others to act. 
It is seen easily that the small growers who have entered 
the business merely on account of its attractions as a 
side issue, and without depending upon it in the least 
for a livelihood, have produced a result which is difficult 
to overcome. The small growers suddenly feel panicky 
and do not see how they are going to pull through with¬ 
out loss. Consequently they unload on the market at 
once at very low prices and the larger growers are 
forced to sell uqder them if they sell at all. Then there 
is a reaction. Large and small growers have disposed 
of their stock, and before a supply can be had again, 
there is an excessive demand which puts prices at a high 
notch, but leaves the grower helpless. Thus the retailer 
and the planter suffer, while an adjustment of the dis¬ 
position of stock would regulate the supply and demand. 
It is just here that a consolidation of growers would 
effect a remedy. Assume that the larger growers of a 
section comprising several nursery centers form a con¬ 
solidation and appoint twenty of the leading men an 
executive committee. Let it be agreed that purchases 
shall be made on the judgment of one man in each of 
those centers. Then go into the market and buy for the 
next year standard pears at 9 cents, or as cheap as pos¬ 
sible, and so on, agreeing to use up the surplus. In this 
way the larger grower could sustain his own stock and 
the other could be divided at cost, offering it to the 
members before it is offered outside. It would not take 
great capital to buy up the stock, which could be secured 
on long time. In many cases $1,000 would purchase 
all in ^ a single center. The small dealer cannot long 
continue to sell the cream of his standard stock at ruin¬ 
ous prices and he would welcome an opportunity to be 
relieved. If necessary the combination could afford to 
burn much of the surplus thus acquired. A forfeit for 
non-compliance with the agreement between the mem¬ 
bers would ensure the success of the plan. 
At all events the time is more favorable than it has 
been for such a movement, because the rank and file of 
the nurserymen have reached a point where they find 
they cannot live at the prices that are ruling ; and that 
is the frame of mind in which a man is ready to try 
something else. 
INSPECTION OF NURSERY STOCK. 
Nothing was heard at the last session of Congress 
from Congressman Caminetti of California regarding a 
bill requiring an inspection of all nursery stock in every 
state in the Union. Last year when such a bill was 
presented the movement was headed off by the deter¬ 
mined opposition of the growers. 
The State of Washington has joined California in the 
adoption of stringent laws for the inspection and disin¬ 
fecting of all stock shipped there from other states. 
