I2 4 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
a gg re ga.t e amount will scarcely be enough to pay expenses, 
which are as great now as they have been for several 
years.” 
Germantown, Pa., Oct. 23. —Thomas B. Meehan : “ Busi¬ 
ness has been bad up to this week. It is better now, with 
prospects of a continued run.” 
OHIO. 
Dayton, O., Oct. 15 .—“ Down here in the Miami Valley, 
we are “ getting along as well as could be expected ” under 
the prevailing conditions ; even better than early prospects 
seemed to warrant. The season began amid the rattle of fall¬ 
ing prices, so that the average wholesaler did not know “ where 
he was at ” all the time. There are a few scarce articles, 
but the supply of staples appears to be sufficient to meet 
present requirements. Prices rule weak and low, without an 
established basis earlier in the season, but now seem to have 
reached their level and although a low level, yet there is now 
a generally recognized market rate. Occasionally a frightened 
holder will grow frantic and flaunt cut-throat rates right and 
left, but these fellows usually subside without materially 
effecting the situation. 
“ In view of the prevailing conditions, the nurserymen of this 
valley cannot complain of the amount of stock sent out, but 
have ample occasion to weep bitterly over the prices obtained 
for it. In view of past results, your correspondent discon¬ 
tinues further predictions respecting the speedy return of good 
times and living prices, but rests assured of one thing, and 
that is, we are just one year nearer good times and prices than 
when we made our last October report.” 
New Carlisle, O., Oct. 14.—W. N. Scarff : “Our trade 
to date averages at least 25 per cent, advance over last -fall, 
with prices a shade lower than usual. 
“We predict for spring in our line (small fruits, vines etc.,) 
much stiffer prices, especially on cap varieties of raspberries, 
blackberries, dewberries and currants, as the supply is far 
under the average at this date.” 
INDIANA. 
Bridgeport, Ind., Oct. 14.—Albertson & Hobbs: “We 
are just now right in the busiest of our fall packing and hardly 
know where we stand or how business is going to figure up. 
Until the 1st of August our agents did good work, but since 
that time sales have been light ; yet our agents’ work up to 
date is nearly 50 per cent, more than it has been for three 
years and we will have no room to complain if we are able to 
make anything like reasonable collections on delivery. 
“ The wholesale trade is hardly up to what it has been other 
years in amount, though the quantity of stock handled seems 
to be pretty nearly the same. There has been a very conserva¬ 
tive buying, owing to the unsettled situation financially ; but, 
so far as we can see, there seems to be every indication of an 
excellent business for spring, if this financial question is settled 
so that confidence can return to business. 
“ We have never known so great an interest to be taken in 
commercial planting and all that is holding back is the excite¬ 
ment attending the campaign. Peach seem to be in strong 
demand, and have had heavier trade on cherry than we ex¬ 
pected. Many varieties of apple are also in very strong de¬ 
mand and we shall miss our guess if there is not a pretty heavy 
shortage in some of these lines in the spring.” 
ILLINOIS. 
Normal, III., Oct. 21.—W. A. Watson & Co., McLean 
County Nurseries : “ Sales are rather larger this fall than last 
fall up to this time. There has also been a slight improvement 
in prices, except on pears and cherries. Apples, plums and 
peaches are in good demand, and we look for a shortage in all 
of these before sales close next spring. Small fruit plants are 
abundant, of good quality, and in fair demand. Prospects for 
spring trade are good now, and after November 3d we look for 
constant improvement. With a staple currency and reasonable 
protection, we can do lots of business at living prices.” 
MICHIGAN. 
Kalamazoo, Mich., Oct 17.—Central Michigan Nursery 
Company : “ Our fall sales have been very satisfactory, a 
reasonable increase over the last season. Our agents report a 
very unsettled condition in the territory in which we operate 
and we are of the opinion that the result of the election will 
have a great influence on spring sales. If McKinley is elected 
we look for better business than before ; if not we are inclined 
to think that it will be very slow selling.” 
MINNESOTA. 
Lake City, Minn., Oct. 14.—J. Cole Doughty, Secretary 
Jewell Nursery Co.: “ If you can tell us how the election is 
going, we can make a pretty good guess as to the outcome of 
the winter canvass. We feel very safe in predicting that in the 
event of Bryan’s election, there will be little or no business 
transacted in our line. Even though McKinley were elected 
and confidence restored, it will take some time for the West 
to overcome the business depression that results from the ex¬ 
citement incident to a political campaign of this character. 
“In any event, we shall feel entirely satisfied, if we can place 
as many goods for spring of ’97 as we sold for spring of ’96. 
“ There has been no material change in retail prices, but 
goods are sold to the trade so extremely low that there is no 
margin of profit. At present there certainly is no money in the 
nursery business in the Northwest. Our prediction of six 
months ago has been sustained although we would have been 
glad to have been disappointed. We have never prosecuted a 
canvass that has involved so much labor for the same returns. 
“Everything in this section points to the election of the 
sound money candidates, but business men whose capital is 
invested, will feel anxious until the results are announced.” 
KANSAS. 
Topeka, Kan., Oct. 17.—F. W. Watson & Co.: “Fall 
sales lighter than last year, with prices very low ; a great deal 
of inquiry for stock for spring and every indication for a heavy 
spring trade. With the advance in prices of wheat and corn 
and the election of McKinley, trade cannot help but improve 
greatly by next season’s packing time. 
“ Prices of apple seedlings are low—lower probably than 
they will be after grading is started—as the quantity will fall 
short of estimates very materially owing to so many branched 
seedlings. Topeka furnished the majority of apple seedlings 
produced in this country, about 400 acres this year. 
“ Packing season almost over. Will begin shipping seedlings 
about the first of November and continue through the winter.” 
NEBRASKA. 
Crete, Neb., Oct. 15.—E. F. Stephens, Manager of The 
Crete Nurseries : “The season’s trade for us has been more 
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