THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
69 
are colored exactly opposite to the others, being of a brilliant black, 
marked with yellow or red. Most of these latter forms feed on scale 
insects, while those with the black spots live mostly on plant lice. 
Never has the true worth of these insects been better shown than by 
the persistent way in which they have met the invasion of the San Jose 
scale. For a time it seemed as if the fruit grower was to be obliged to 
do battle with this pest single handed, but old Mother Nature always 
comes to his assistance in such cases after a time, and this instance was 
no exception. Hardly had the San Jose scale commenced to get a 
start in the East, before it was attacked both by internal parasites and 
the predaceous lady-bird beetles. Of the latter, but two specimens are 
commonly found on scale infested trees in the East. 
Even more efficient are the little black beetles known as Pentilia 
misella. 
STATE CONTROL OF INSECTS. 
Prof. L. R. Taft, of the Agricultural College, Michigan, read 
a paper at the Chicago convention on “ State Control of In¬ 
sects and Diseases,” in which he gave a history of all legislation 
had in Michigan relating to insects and diseases that infest 
fruit trees. Michigan now has on her statute books three such 
laws, the first being what is known as the “ yellows law,’ pro¬ 
viding for a commission for inspecting orchards and enforcing 
the absolute destruction of all infected trees. This law has 
proved very efficacious and many valuable orchards have been 
saved through its agency. A second law, known as the Mich¬ 
igan Spraying law, was passed for the purpose of securing 
prompt and effective treatment for any insect and disease, and 
was especially aimed against the San Jose scale and canker 
worm. The third law is the nursery and orchard inspection 
law, providing for a state inspector of nurseries. 
WINTERING STOCK. 
N. H. Albaugh, commenting upon the effect of the cold 
weather upon nursery stock, said at the Chicago convention: 
“The problem is, how to protect for spring sale marketable 
stock when fall comes on. Peach and dwarf pear stock must 
be protected. The nurseryman who does not do this must be 
deemed shiftless. In the first place dormant buds must be 
prepared for winter. Ridges should be plowed up on each 
side of the rows so as to form a hollow around the roots in 
which the snow may lodge. Some cover the trees at the roots 
with earth, but there is danger in this if there should happen 
to be a wet winter. Avoid late cultivation and let the stock 
mature as early as possible in the fall. 
“A storage house is essential, and I have learned much by 
experience, regarding the manner of construction. I would 
never make it below the surface of the ground. There is more 
danger of dampness collecting in it if you dig down at all. 
Then again it is harder to put stock in. and to take it out. 
You cannot drive a full load into a cellar. A space 30x100 feet 
should be selected and it should be covered a foot thick with 
gravel. Then build up your stone walls several feet and side 
up with matched lumber, putting in a paper lining. Leave an 
air space and then put more paper under the inside wall. 
Building paper should also be placed under the roof. At first 
we used saw-dust between the double walls, but we found 
that it settled down, got wet, and rotted the frame work and 
that it was worse than useless. Such a storage house will hold 
35,000 peach trees. We found that heeling in the stock caused 
premature sprouting in spite of all precautions. We learned 
that cording up the stock was the only satisfactory way. You 
must be very careful that no moss gets upon the tops or 
bodies of the trees, and the moss used must not be too wet 
Ordinary moss will not do to rig up trees in the storage house. 
We spread out the moss to dry, but it was caught in the rain and 
we found it more convenient to buy dry baled moss and wet it 
from a sprinkling can as we wanted it. Begin at the bottom 
of the pile with dry moss. Push it well around the roots. 
Leave a space two feet wide next to the wall. Place tie tops 
of the trees together with the roots out. Leave a passage way 
four feet wide between the corded trees As you get near the 
top of the pile the moss may be more moist, but great care 
must be taken to keep the tops and trunks of the trees bare. 
The varieties are piled separately and an older can be filled 
without delay. Last year we put in a wood stove to be used 
in long protracted zero weather. A little heat goes a great 
ways in such a house. The cost of such a house is $600. No 
nurseryman who raises a considerable amount of stock in the 
central states ought to think of continuing in the nursery busi¬ 
ness without some kind of a protection house.” 
AMERICAN SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION. 
The seventeenth annual convention of the American Seed 
Trade Association was held in Cincinnati, June 13th. Forty- 
five members were present Resolutions protesting against 
the free distribution of seeds by the government were adopted. 
Alexander Rodgers, of Chicago, was elected president; S. F. 
Willard, Wethersfield, Conn., secretary. 
Bmong ©rowers anb IDealers. 
Growers are urging the placing of orders early, declaring 
that there will be an advance of from 10 per cent, to 100 per 
cent, in prices before fall shipments commence. 
C. C. Elwell, Waterloo, N. Y., has disposed of his interests 
in the Empire State Nursery Co., which will be continued un¬ 
der the management of Frank Pierson, who has been for some 
time closing up the Canada office of Pierson Brothers. Mr. 
Elwell desires to locate in Rochester, N. Y. 
A single carload of California fruit, mostly cherries, with 
some apricots, etc., shipped from Suisun in C. F. X. car 19,426 
on May n, sold in New York for over $4,50° gross. This car 
will net the growers in California, after deducting freight, re¬ 
frigeration, and other expenses, about $4,000. 
Luke Brothers Company'early in May dissolved their rela¬ 
tions with A. D. Pratt, who for the past two years has managed 
their Rochester office. This change does not in any way 
affect the standing of the company, financially or otherwise, 
and they will continue, as heretofore, to do business from 
Montreal, Chicago, and Rochester. The office last named is 
under the management of E. M. Luke. 
PROOF THAT THEY HIKE IT. 
,T. O. Kelly & Sovs, Jeff, Ala., June 12 , 1899 .—“ Enclosed find 
check for $1, for which please send the National Nurseryman one 
year. The journal meets with our approval. We are perfectly will¬ 
ing to pay the dollar for it, and we think that is about the best way to 
ell whether a man likes a thing or not.” 
