44 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
IN THE GENESEE VALLEY . 
Better Prices Obtained Even When Volume of Trade Has Not In¬ 
creased Notably—Agents Should Be Encouraged in Meeting 
Advances in Prices—Demand for Small Fruit Stock Good — 
Mr. Rouse Thinks Prices May Still Further Advance. 
Rochester, N. Y., April 12 .—Chase Brothers Co.: “Our 
spring retail business and business for the year past about 
equals in volume sales of the preceding year and at slightly 
better prices. The wholesale demand thus far this spring has 
been brisk, and while we haven’t much information as to what 
our neighbors are doing, still think it safe to say that stock 
will be pretty well cleaned out, and the prices ruling in the 
average better than a year ago. 
“ It is rather early as yet to make any estimate on the new 
season’s business, but the indications look to us very favorable 
for a large business in the retail department.” 
Rochester, N. Y., April 13 .—Brown Brothers Co.: “We 
consider that the outlook in the nursery business is continuing 
to grow steadily better. We think this is largely due to the 
fact that over production has ceased. We note no great im. 
provement in sales over last year, but we have been getting 
better prices and are anticipating a better margin at the close 
of the year.” 
Rochester, N. Y., April 13 .—The Hawks Nursery Co.: 
“ Our sales are larger than they were last spring, and with a 
smaller percentage of fruit trees sold. We were compelled to 
advance prices, and verv materially on nearly everything, and 
while it was hard work to keep our agents good-natured on 
that account, we believe that the coming season better prices 
still will prevail, and with less complaint, and we look forward 
with hope and not misgivings.” 
Rochester, N. Y., April 14 .—Allen L. Wood : “ My sale s 
of small stock are quite satisfactory in every way. Demand is 
strong with an advance in prices of from 10 to 15 percent 
above those of recent seasons.” 
Rochester, N. Y., April 12 .—Irving Rouse :' “ The season 
is, so far, extremely late and backward and not as much stock 
has been handled as usual at this date. It looks, however, as 
if everything was going to be cleaned up in good shape 
Prices have materially advanced over those of a year ago and 
the promise is good for a still farther advance the coming season 
Dansville, N. Y., April 19 .—James M. Kennedy: “Spring 
opened up two weeks later than usual. The wholesale growers 
have completed their spring shipments, receiving good prices. 
The amount of stock shipped wholesale was unusually small 
compared with last spring, as about all the stock was sold and 
shipped last fall. The retail trade exceeds that of last spring 
both in prices and quantities, prices being 50 per cent, more 
than last spring. This indicates an increase in prices by next 
fall. It will be safe to say there will be no surplus stock to 
carry over. Collections have been unusually good the past 
year. Nursery stock has never wintered better. Nurserymen 
commenced planting this week. The prospects for next fall 
and spring are very encouraging.” 
HOW TO FUMIGATE. 
The New York Agricultural Experiment Station has issued 
a bulletin, prepared by Prof. Beach, on the subject of fumiga¬ 
tion. It states: 
The entomologists who have investigated this subject are 
not yet agreed as to the length of time which should be recom¬ 
mended for the fumigation of dormant nursery stock, but they 
generally give from 30 to 50 minutes. Sirrene advises that, 
. when using the formula given below, the stock be fumigated 
for one hour. In Johnson’s tests, well-matured stock of apple, 
plum, etc., stood treatment one hour with gas of a strength far 
above the standard used ; so that in general with the standard 
strength no damage need be feared from an over dose with 
well-matured stock. It is well to be on the safe side and con¬ 
tinue the fumigation long enough to secure the full benefit of 
the operation. 
After the stock has been fumigated the room must be ven¬ 
tilated for at least ten minutes before entering it. This rule 
must be strictly enforced, because anyone who enters the 
room before it has been properly ventilated endangers his 
life. 
THE FORMULA. 
The following formula is recommended by Sirrine for gen¬ 
eral use in fumigating well-matured dormant nursery stock. 
For each 100 cubic feet of space in the room use : 
FORMULA FOR WELL-MATURED STOCK. 
Potassium cyanide, (98 to 99 per cent. pure)... 1 oz. (avoir.) 
Sulphuric acid.to fl. oz. 
Water. 4 y fl. oz. 
Fumigate for one hour and then ventilate the room ten 
minutes before entering it. 
Sirrene’s experiments with different amounts of the cyanide 
lead him to the opinion that for general use with well-matured 
nursery stock the amount should not be less than 1 }i ounces 
per 100 cubic feet, which is the amount given in the above 
formula. (Other entomologists recommend less amounts of 
the cyanide. Johnson’s formula calls for approximately 9-10 
ounce per 100 cubic feet ; Alwood uses 1 ounce, Marlatt 1 
ounce and Webster 4 5 ounce per 100 cubic feet for well- 
matured stock). Sirrene finds, however, that stock, under 
some conditions, is injured by even as small a quantity of the 
cyanide as this. Johnson reports similar results and recom¬ 
mends for peach whips, June budded peach trees, bud sticks 
and in general all stock which is not well matured, that the 
amount of potassium cyanide be reduced to 18 grams (approx¬ 
imately ounce) per 100 cubic feet. When stock is to be 
fumigated which is not well matured it is doubtless best to 
reduce the amount of the cyanide as Johnson recommends, 
even if it is necessary to lengthen the time of fumigation to 
get satisfactory results. Following Sirrene’s ideas in regard 
to the proportionate amounts of sulphuric acid and water the 
formula for each 100 cubic feet of space would be as stated 
below. 
FORMULA FOR IMMATURE STOCK, BUD STICKS, ETC. 
Potassium cyanide, (98 to 99 per cent, pure).. .. y oz. (avoir.) 
Sulphuric acid. y fl. oz. 
Water.2j4 fl. oz. 
As regards refumigation Johnson finds that the peach will 
not stand a second fumigation. Apples, pears, etc., are not 
injured by it, but it is well not to expose stock a second time 
to the gas after it has been once properly fumigated. 
Stock which has passed out of the dormant condition can¬ 
not be safely fumigated with gas at the strength given for 
dormant stock, neither can it in the fall before the leaves 
have dropped. 
Instructions for the construction of fumigating houses are 
also given. 
