THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
139 
NURSERYMAN’S OPINION OF GIRDLING 
Charles G. Patten, Charles City, la., makes the following 
report in the Minnesota Horticulturist regarding Mr. Dartt’s 
system of girdling trees at the Owatonna, Minn., horticultural 
station : 
“ Mr. Dartt seems to be as thorough in his work as he is 
definite in his ideas as to how it should be done. The concep¬ 
tion and management of this station is unique ; it is entirely 
Mr. Dartt’s. Some might complain that he has been too heroic 
in his treatment of his seedlings and the new varieties that 
have been submitted to him for trial. But whatever one may 
think of his method of testing varieties, everything has had an 
equal chance; there has been no petting of special sorts; 
and whatever passes the ordeal to which he subjects them no 
one need fear to plant. 
“ The application of a liberal quantity of manure to young 
orchard and nursery trees, and the girdling process to which 
these new sorts, from two inches and above in diameter, have 
been subjected is a trial of the most thorough nature. Most 
men who are personally interested in new varieties would 
shrink from such a test. It appears to me, at least at first 
sight, that the manuring and girdling for two and three years 
in succession are almost too much to expect a young tree to 
endure. But what are experiment stations for if they are not 
to develop new ideas and processes and results. 
“Mr. Dartt conceived the idea that he could test the hardiness 
and vitality of new sorts as much in five years as been done 
heretofore in fifteen to twenty years by the old way of waiting 
for cold winters and blighting summers. Hence he used the 
manure to blight, and the saw to test the vitality of the tree. 
And while at the first inspection I had my doubts, it looks now 
as though he was going to demonstrate, at least to a large ex¬ 
tent, the value of his practice. Of course, in experiments one 
has to vary seasons and methods as new developments appear.” 
THE RED JACKET GOOSEBERRY. 
There being in existence an inferior English gooseberry 
(some of which are in America) which is named Red Jacket, 
the Committee on Nomenclature of Western New York Horti¬ 
cultural Society at Rochester January 25 , 1899,10 hereafter 
prevent confusion in varieties, renamed the American Red 
Jacket “ Josselyn ” in honor of the introducer. 
planting of trees in their specificetions for buildings. In the 
upper part of the city this is especially true, and in some cases 
each new block is furnished with trees to carry out the line of 
shade already there. 
THE CUSTOM HOUSE AGAIN. 
Editor National Nurseryman : 
I think it well to call to your attention and that of the 
readers of the National Nurseryman a recent ruling, or 
decision, of Examiner Lersner of the New York Custom 
House, classifying Ligustrum Ovalifolium (California Privet), 
a deciduous shrub, as an evergreen and consequently subject 
to the duty provided for evergreens by the Dingley tariff bill. 
That such a ruling is absurd and a travesty upon justice is 
patent to every intelligent nurseryman. 
In this connection let me add that T. C. Worden appraiser 
of the tenth division, also decides that wharf examinations of 
nursery stock as provided for by a recent ruling of the 
treasury department are impracticable. 
Is it possible for the nursery trade to secure reasonable 
service at the largest port of entry in the U. S.? It seems not. 
Elizabeth, N. J , Nov 29. 1899 H. T. Jones. 
ALBERT SOM & HOBBS, 
BRIDGEPORT, (Marion Co.) IND. 
FOR SPRING 1900. 
In car lots, assorted car lots, or smaller quantities. 
European Plums. 
Standard and Dwarf Pears and Peaches— incomplete 
assortment of varieties and grades. 
1st Class nedium No. 2 and lighter grades. 
Also general line of nursery stock, as Apples, Cherry, 
Keiffer Pear, Japan and Native Plums, Small Fruits, 
Vines, etc. 
LARGE CELLARS stored full for early shipment. 
Carolina Poplar— 1 to 2. 2 to 3, 3 to 4, and 4 to ^ feet, 1 
year and larger sizes. 
Maples, Norway, Silver, Rock, Schwedleri, etc. 
TREE PLANTING IN CITIES. 
The value of well-directed, concerted action is well seen in 
the matter of street tree planting in New York City, says 
American Gardening. Owing to the activity of the Tree Plant¬ 
ing Association, much more interest is now being taken in the 
setting out of trees on the streets and avenues of the city than 
was the case till lately. Many builders now arrange for the 
Elms, Lindens, Sycamore, Mulberries, etc. 
Weeping Trees, Hardy Shrubs, Evergreens, Roses, etc. 
Apple Seedlings, Imported Seedlings, Supplies, Spades, 
Etc. 
Order early and secure assortments wanted. It will 
be hard to do later. Prices on application. TRADE 
LIST issued about February 1st. 
LEVAVASSEUR 
SONS 
P 
Nnreprii>« at USSY and ORLEANS, France. 
WUrSf5rH55 *■ 7? 11 I When you buy of us you deal with first hands. We are 
Growers of the Most Complete Line ojro^e^^if haVyet bought of usg.ve us a triah Send your list of wauts to 
HERMAN BERKHAN, Sole 
39 and 41 OORTLANDT 8TREET, NEW YORK. 
Sole Agent for United States and Canada. 
Agent, 
