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THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
The National Nurseryman. 
C. L. YATES, Proprietor. RALPH T. OLCOTT, Editor. 
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY 
The National Nurseryman Publishing Co., 
305 cox Building, 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.$1.00 
Six Months.50 
Foreign Subscriptions. 1.25 
Six Months.,.75 
Advertising rates will be sent upon application. Advertise¬ 
ments should reach this office by the 20th of the month previous 
to the date of issue. 
Correspondence from all points and articles of interest to 
nurserymen and horticulturists are cordially solicited. 
Entered in the Post-Office at Rochester, N, Y., as second class matter. 
ROCHESTER, N. Y., DECEMBER, 1893. 
SIGNS OF PROGRESS. 
There are many indications that of late long steps 
forward have been taken by the nurserymen of the 
country. In many instances are the methods of to-day 
an improvement upon those of but a comparatively 
short time ago. These things are the direct result of 
the application of knowledge acquired from varied 
sources. The business is increasing rapidly ; the sales 
of the progressive growers and dealers are enlarging in 
greater ratio than ever before, and the newly entered 
tradesman, reaping the benefit of experience, starts 
where his older brother finds himself only after years of 
toil, through old to new . methods. The nurseryman of 
to-day finds that the rapid pace makes it absolutely nec¬ 
essary to keep informed thoroughly. If he would keep 
up with the procession he must be in touch with every 
worthy movement for the advancement of the trade. 
The most prominent men in his business are devoting all 
their energy to the development of large undertakings 
which the necessities of the time have produced. These 
through the sharp competition which results, directly or 
indirectly effect every nurseryman in the country. Laws 
are being enacted which effect the nurseryman either 
favorably or unfavorably, and it is to his interest to sup¬ 
port the one and oppose the other. 
Until recently the nursery trade has been vv'ithout an 
organ of its own. Nurserymen have been obliged to 
depend for information upon the horticultural and flori- 
cultural papers whose sympathies were entirely with the 
planters. In these papers it was impossible for the 
nurserymen to discuss the features of their trade. The 
need of a representative trade journal for nurserymen 
was urgently felt. At this time The National Nur¬ 
seryman appeared and in the brief space of less than a 
year it has thoroughly occupied the field. From the 
start the new journal was cordially received and through¬ 
out the year letters have come continuously expressing' 
the warmest appreciation of the journal and promising 
it substantial support. Its advertising columns have 
been generously patronized and advertisers have pro¬ 
nounced the results more than satisfactory. It is de¬ 
clared the best advertising medium for the trade. 
No nurseryman can afford to be without the journal. 
It is a means of keeping informed of the progress of the 
trade in all sections, at small cost. Leading nursery¬ 
men have said that a single issue has been worth to 
them the price of subscription. The journal is pub¬ 
lished in the interests of the trade ; each individual in 
the trade should support it with his subscription. 
IMPORTED NURSERY STOCK. 
The free list of the proposed tariff includes “ plants, 
trees, shrubs and vines of all kinds commonly known as 
nursery stock.” The McKinley bill imposed a duty of 
20 per cent, on imported nursery stock. Previous to the 
passage of that act there had been no duty on such stock 
though in former years an ad valorem duty equal to that 
of the present time was in force. The present duty of 
20 per cent, was secured through the efforts of leading 
importers who brought into this country only the best 
qualit}^ of stock and who wished protection against the 
importation of an inferior quality. But on seedlings the 
duty cost is so small that no encouragement toward the 
raising of seedlings in this country was caused, for the 
French seedlings grown at a cost for labor of 45 cents 
per day could be imported, even with the duty, for less 
than they could be grown here at a cost for labor of $1.25 
per day, labor being the chief item in their production. 
Therefore the inferior as well as the superior qualities 
have been brought over freely. It has been felt by those 
who deal in the higher grades of imported seedlings that 
a specific duty of from $1.50 to $2.00 per thousand 
should be imposed. But this year the efforts of those 
who seek to make the cost of producing nursery stock 
for market as low as possible have succeeded in having 
recommended the removal of all duty on the imported 
stocks. 
The effect of this provision in the proposed tariff 
would ordinarily induce a greater amount of planting ; 
but the condition of prices both before and since the busi¬ 
ness depression is such that little fear of over-production 
from this source need be entertained. It happens that by 
the reason of the varied methods of conducting the nur¬ 
sery business, republicans who would ordinarily be for 
protection are in favor of a free list for nursery stock, 
and democrats, ordinarily free-traders, are in favor of a 
duty. But those who favored the present ad valorem 
duty are content to await the operation of a free trade 
