8 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
Charles Parry, of. Parry, an enthusiastic advocate of 
chestnuts as a commercial crop, read a paper on that sub¬ 
ject, in which he predicted large profits from chestnut 
orchards, with small competition for years to come. He 
said it was reasonable to expect a bushel to a tree and 
$200 of receipts from an acre. He did not claim it would 
always continue such a bonanza, but at one-half or one- 
third of the present prices they would be profitable. The 
orchards would be permanent for generations, 
“The Value of Forests to Agriculture” was the subjet 
of a paper prepared by Colonel A. W. Pearson, of Vine- 
land, and read by the secretary. Colonel Pearson held 
that their value for wood was their least value. They are 
useful to mitigate extremes in climate, conserve moisture, 
induce its precipitation in rain, and restrain too rapid 
drainage. He held that the profitable culture of crops 
will be difficult when all the forests are gone, and urged 
that they should be preserved by state laws. 
MINNESOTA HORTICULTURISTS. - 
The twenty-eighth annual meeting of the Minnesota 
State Horticultural Society was held at Lake City, Jan¬ 
uary 8-11. President J. M. Underwood in his address 
said : 
During the year of 1894, it is prol)able that the hortieulturist had 
lieaped upon him every experience of an objectional)le nature that lie 
liad heretofore escaped or would ever be called upon to pass througli. 
This experience was by no means confined to Minnesota, but frosts, 
storms, drouth, bugs, worms, and blight seemed to hold high carnival 
without regard to location. Notwithstanding, fruit has been plenty and 
some of it cheap. With grapes at 16 cents for an eight pound basket, 
surelv every one should have all they could eat ami yet there are mil¬ 
lions of our inhabitants who probably did noteat a hunch of grapes last 
year. 
At our last annual meeting we touched upon the importance of adopt¬ 
ing irrigation to the growing of fruit and vegetables The drouth of 
last summer emphasized still more the advisability of intelligent appli¬ 
cation of this resource. 
Is the country bettered by the upheaval of its business interests ? Are 
the conditions changed in the least ? It is true the Coxey army is dis¬ 
banded; the strikers are put down, silver is demonetized, the tarriff bill 
passed, and election is over, but is any one a bit better off than he was 
a year ago. Are not the conditions of unrest and dissatisfaction just as 
great ? If so, what can we horticulturists do to improve the situation ? 
We can do this—we can carry forward the work of disseminating know¬ 
ledge regarding our calling, and in many ways we can turn men’s atten¬ 
tion to our independent, healthful, and pleasant life surrounded by fruits 
and flowers, our tables laden with fresh vegetables, sweet milk and 
cream, and honey from our busy bees. 
Secretary Latham’s report showed that the membership 
of the society is 6oo. It was reported that the past season 
had been very unfavorable for small fruits, excepting 
grapes, and that the apple crop was light. The Soiree, 
Peerless, Catharine, Wolf River, Estelline and Pride of 
Minneapolis apples were given a place in the catalogue of 
the society. Papers were read by E, H. S. Dartt, of 
Owatonna, on “ Horticultural Frauds M Pearce, of 
Chowen, on “ Nursery and Orchard Trees A. J. Phillips, 
West Salem, Wis., secretary of the Wisconsin Horticul¬ 
tural Society, on “ Seedling Apple.s.” The date of the 
annual meeting was changed from the second Tuesday in 
January to the first Tuesday in December. 
PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURISTS. 
The thirty-sixth annual meeting of the Pennsylvania 
Horticultural Society was held in Reading January 15-16. 
Cyrus T. Fox, chairman of the general fruit committee 
presented a report giving a complete review of the porno- 
logical and horticultural results of 1894 as compiled from 
reports of correspondents in every county in the state. 
The appearance of new diseases of insects hitherto un¬ 
known in the state was reported. The San Jose scale, 
the most destructive of all insects, has come into the 
state, it is believed through nursery stock. Specimens 
of twigs alive with the scale were shown to the meeting. 
This pest was imported into California from Chili. 
In a short talk on plum culture, Howard A. Chase, of 
Philadelphia, said : “ While I would not recommend the 
extensive planting of plums in Pennsylvania for profit, I 
see no good reason why every farmer should not grow 
enough for home use with a moderate margin for nearby 
markets. The introduction of the Japanese varieties will 
prove a great boon to this state. The trees are vigorous 
growers, come into bearing very young and are very pro¬ 
ductive. As far as tested they are practically exempt 
from the attacks of the curculio.” 
The address of State Superintendent Schaffer, in 
which he advocated the establishment of school gardens 
and the teaching of the principles of horticulture and 
agriculture in the public schools, was one of the chief 
features of the two days’ session. There will, undoubtedly, 
be an agitation of the subject throughout the state. 
“ Is it desirable to plant an apple orchard in South¬ 
eastern Pennsylvania at the present time, and, if so, should 
early or late varieties be planted ? was answered by 
Joseph W. Thomas. He thinks it pays to plant as well 
now as ever, and that various kinds of trees should be 
planted. 
AT NEWARK, N. Y. 
Newark, N Y., Jan. 20.—C. H. Stuart, of the firm of 
C. W. Stuart & Co., was united in marriage on January 
i8th to Miss Jane Knight of New York. 
William Pitkin, of'Chase Brothers Co., accompanied by 
Mr. Phillips, was recently in town on business with Jack- 
son & Perkins, and visiting his brother, James Pitkin. 
Mr. Henry of Sears, Henry & Co., Geneva, called upon 
nurserymen here this week. 
AT WESLEY, MD. 
Wesley, Md., Jan. 10 . —Last fall’s trade at this 
point was fully up to expectations. Wm. M. Peters’ Sons 
report that while their sales were not as large as last 
season it was only because they did not have the stock 
to draw from. While peach trees are a specialty with 
this firm they are also heavy growers of asparagus roots 
and berry plants. They have in dormant bud 750,000 
peach. They have been in the nursery business 23 years 
and are now doing a retail as well as wholesale business. 
