50 
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., May, 1893. 
THE SEASON’S TRADE. 
Reports from the packing grounds at various points 
indicate a lively trade this season. Large dealers 
throughout the country report heavy increase in the 
retail trade. It is believed that all have held their own, 
that many have filled increased orders from old custo¬ 
mers and added new names to their lists, and that in 
several notable instances, large businesses have been 
doubled. The weather has varied greatly in different 
sections. In the West it was reported particularly 
favorable at certain points, while at others the season 
was backward. In Western New York work on the 
packing grounds was delayed a week at the start and 
snow and rain interfered considerably with the work 
throughout April. 
Little change is noted in the market. There has 
been a plentiful supply of standard pears ; plums have 
been pretty well sold out ; cherries are still high, and 
apples remain the same. 
DUTY ON NURSERY STOCK. 
The question of altering or removing the duty on 
imported nursery stock has received considerable atten¬ 
tion of late. The placing of that duty involves a matter 
of interest not generally known. Three years ago it 
was found that so large a quantity of inferior stock was 
coming into the country that the value of good stock 
was not appreciated and the tendency was toward 9 
depreciation in the value of trees propagated. A lead¬ 
ing importer of this state headed a movement to secure 
the placing of a duty upon all nursery stock imported. 
He visited Washington, with others who were interested, 
and explained to the framers of the tariff the necessity 
for such action. Senator Hiscock promised to see that 
the matter was properly attended to. It was asked 
that a specific duty of $2 per 1,000 be fixed. There was 
delay and another hearing and finally Senator Hiscock 
said that as he understood thoroughly what was wanted 
there be no need of another visit to Washington upon 
the part of the nurserymen. When the matter came 
up for final settlement, a number of New York florists 
were on hand and they succeeded, partly through a mis¬ 
understanding of the congressmen as to what the 
nurserymen wished, in securing the duty of 20 per cent, 
ad valorem which has since existed. 
Now, this duty does not protect the interests of 
those who are endeavoring to keep the market for first- 
class stock up to a high standard ; inferior stock may 
be imported for a duty cost that is but a fraction of 
what it costs to import the same amount of first-class 
stock. 
It is probable that action looking toward a remedy 
will be taken this year. President Cleveland contem¬ 
plates the calling of an extra session of Congress, which 
may be held in September. As that session will be 
devoted to a consideration of tariff revision, it is obvi¬ 
ously the very opportunity that is wanted. 
Now is the time to decide upon what is wanted and 
prepare to take concerted action. The present duty is 
worse than none. Large importers argue that a specific 
duty sufficient to protect those who desire to import 
really good stock, would tend to shut out a great amount 
of second and third rate stock which is being brought 
in under the present system. Many growers, however, 
are in favor of free importation of stock, believing that 
any duty would be too high, and declaring that while it 
was thought, when the duty was placed three years ago, 
that thereafter more stock would be grown here, the 
fact was that not as much was grown. 
Individuals who are most directly interested in the, 
question might make personal application through their 
representatives in Congress ; associations might take up 
the subject, and by resolution request action, or a peti¬ 
tion signed by a large number of nurserymen might be 
presented to Congress. 
NURSERYMEN AT THE WORLD’S FAIR. 
J. M. Samuels, chief of the department of horticul¬ 
ture at the World’s Columbian Exposition, in reply to 
an inquiry writes : “The domestic nurserymen fail to 
take the interest in the exhibit that foreigners have, 
although numerous circulars were sent to all the leading 
firms of the United States. The French exhibit, show¬ 
ing trees trained and grafted in different ways will no 
doubt be interesting to those who will attend the meet¬ 
ing of the Nurserymen’s Association in June. I believe 
that not a single member of the American Association 
of Nurserymen has made application for space.” 
