The National Nurseryman. 
FOR GROWERS AND DEALERS IN NURSERY STOCK. 
Copyright, 1893, by the National Nurseryman Publishing Co. 
VoL. HI. ROCHESTER, N. Y., NOVEMBER, 1895. No. 10. 
FALL SALES. 
Following are special reports to The National 
Nurseryman from various points regarding the 
FALL TRADE: 
West Chester, Pa., October 1 1. —Hoope.s, Brother & 
Thomas: “ We haveabout as much inquiry as usual and 
presume when the season is over, the amount of trees 
handled will be even greater than in most years, but 
prices are ruling lower than stock can be grown for and 
we think that if nurserymen would stiffen up a little, and 
drop this throat-cutting in prices, they would get 
something for their trouble. We do not believe that any 
more stock is sold because these prices are so low, and 
feel sure that the end of next spring will find a shortage 
in most stock and we all might have realized at least a 
competence out of our business.” 
Morrisville, Pa., October 12 .— Samuel C. Moon: 
“ Up to this date sales have been very light and I think 
will not aggregate more than 50 per cent, of la'st fall’s 
trade. I have supposed the dry weather had operated to 
discourage planters from ordering, and as rams have com¬ 
menced falling, 1 am still hoping that there may be an 
improvement in trade later in the season. I deal chiefly 
in ornamental stock and have had but very little call for 
any kind of fruit.” 
Moorestown, N. J., October 11.—C. F. McNair, man¬ 
ager Rogers Nursery Co.: “It is too early yet to say 
what the business of the fall will be. On account of the 
long-continued drought and the excessive hot weather, 
strawberries were not in good demand. As to larger stock 
in the line of fruit trees, business has not varied much 
from last fall. In ornamentals there seems to be an extra 
call. We think increased building in town and suburbs 
is the cause of this.” 
Boston, October II. —President Beard of Shady Hill 
Nurseries: “We find fall business more than usually 
active, and there is a better inquiry for stock in all direc¬ 
tions. The demand for ornamental planting is growing 
every year, and the only drawback is the low prices re¬ 
ceived for stock. We think 1896 will show still larger 
developments of the nursery trade, but the nurserymen 
of the country ought to combine directly or indirectly for 
better prices.” 
Reading, Mass., October 12.—Jacob W. Manning: 
“ Fall opening for trade seems to be very satisfactory and 
we anticipate a good season. The growing season has 
been of the best. The result is, nursery stock is in the 
finest possible condition for shipment, and stock generally 
as grown in our vicinity looks very well. So far as we 
learn of other nurserymen in our section the general 
tendency of trade seems to be upward.” 
Geneva, N. Y., October 10.—W. & T. Smith Co.: 
“ Our sales this fall are fully up to previous years. We 
do not know what others are doing in this vicinity, but 
we have the impression that wholesale trade is not quite 
as brisk as last 3’ear. The digging has been so very hard 
of late that nurserymen have not felt inclined to dig trees 
unless they could octain fair prices for the stock. We 
believe a great deal of stock has been sold for spring de¬ 
livery ; plums being bought up very close, and the supply 
of apples is rather less than a year ago.” 
Richmond, Va , October ii.—W. T. Hood & Co.: 
“Our retail trade is about the same as it was last year, 
and our trade last year was the largest we have ever had. 
We do not notice much change in our wholesale trade as 
compared with last year, e.xcept prices are more unsatis¬ 
factory. 
“ We consider that present trade prices are too low for 
the grower or planter. For the protection of the orchard- 
ist it is above all things essential that varieties should be 
kept true to name, and this requires a great deal of care¬ 
ful work done by high-priced men in the nursery. With 
stock at present prices this work can only be done at a 
loss, except by certain firms who have an-established, fine 
trade, and grow stock under unusually favorable condi¬ 
tions. 
“ We judge from present outlook that there is little 
hope for improvement in prices until a great many firms 
are crowded out of the business. We know of several 
firms in this state whose business has declined, and we 
do not know of any firm that has not suffered from un¬ 
favorable trade conditions. There is a living in the 
business for firms which are properly organized, and we 
have the utmost confidence that there are brighter times 
ahead. We have made our plans for a larger trade in ’96 
than ever before. 
“ At present we are experiencing the most severe 
drought we have ever known since we have been in the 
business. VVe have not commenced to dig our stock for 
our retail orders, and will not do so until we have soak¬ 
ing rains. Slock can only be dug with pick-axes.” 
Baltimore, October 15.—The E'ranklin Davis Nursery 
Co.: “We have just started into what promises to be a 
fairly satisfactory fall season. Our sales, both wholesale 
and retail, are about the same as those of 1894, the same 
quantity of stock being sold, but at lower prices. We 
see no difference, however, in cost of production. There 
seems to be a strong demand for peach trees, and japan 
plums. Prices appear to be lower on everything but 
peach : grades under inch in apple and pear are exceed- 
