THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
81 
THE HONEST TREE AGENT. 
J. S. Harris, La Crescent, Minn., in liis calendar in the 
Minnesota Horticulturist, concludes his advice to horticulturists 
as follows : 
“ Finally, remember the traveling tree agent, do not let him 
persuade you that Minnesota nursery stock is worthless for 
planting in this climate, that Minnesota nurserymen do not 
know how to propagate trees anyway or what varieties are best 
adapted for you. Do not invest largely in novelties until you 
have some knowledge of them beyond what the agent has im¬ 
parted, and remember to examine all contracts and orders 
carefully before signing your name to them. Figs do not 
grow on thistles nor strawberries on trees.” 
And an exchange which has been publishing some pointed 
remarks about the tree peddler, has been asked by a Collins¬ 
ville, Conn., man to publish the following, which appeared in 
a recent issue of that weekly : 
“ Let me suggest that the Rural New Yorker has, in the 
past, had several articles, most severely condemning tree 
agents. While many are certainly rascals, it is equally certain 
that many are strictly honest and honorable in their dealings. 
Some of the best firms, such as Ellwanger & Barry, send 
agents, who certainly sell good stock. Many others, like my¬ 
self, do a small business of our own, buying of large nurseries. 
Stephen Hoyt’s Sons, of whom I buy what stock I do not raise, 
sell nearly all their stock to dealers, and their trees, I think, 
rank as high as any. The higher prices charged by agents are 
balanced by the delivery of the goods, the guaranty of a free 
replacing of trees dying the first year, and the fact that the 
trees sold by agents—honest agents, I mean—usually grade 
higher than those sent out by the cheap nurseries. So when 
some one sends in an article giving a wholesale condemnation 
of all tree a gents, please add a word that there are some agents 
who are not swindlers, while there has not yet been found a 
business into which some rascals did not enter.” 
IRecent publications. 
Part I. of the transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 
for 1897 , issued by Secretary Robert Manning, contains valuable papers 
on “Spread of Plant Diseases,” by Dr. E. F. Smith, of Washington, 
D. C. ; “ Horticulture in Canada,” by Professor William Saunders, of 
Ottawa, Can. ; “ Tropical Horticulture,” by Professor George Lincoln 
Goodale, of Harvard University. 
The fortieth annual report of the Horticultural Society of Missouri, 
for 1897 , will be read with interest. Through the efforts of this society 
the fruit growing industry of the state has been greatly advanced. 
The practical experience of such men as J. C. Evans, N. F. Murray, 
Samuel Miller, L. A. Goodman, A. Nelson and other horticulturists is 
of much value. L A. Goodman, Moberly, Mo., is secretary. 
U. S. Department of Agriculture publications: “Historical Sketch 
of the U. S. Department of Agriculture; Its Objects and Present 
Organization.” Compiled by Charles H. Greathouse, of the division of 
publications. Pp. 74 , pis. 2 , figs. 9 . “Forestry Conditions and Inter¬ 
ests of Wisconsin.” By Filibert Roth, special agent, with a discussion 
by B. E. Fernow, chief, division of forestry. Pp. 76 , may 1 . Experi¬ 
ment Station Record, Yol. IX, Nos. 9 and 10 . 
The third annual report of the Chief Fire Warden of Minnesota has 
just been published. From this it appears that according to the 
reports of fire wardens, the damage done by forest fires in 1897 was 
$ 22 , 455 , and by prairie fires $ 14 , 554 . There were periods of protracted 
dry weather both in the spring and autumn. Consideiing that the 
value of the standing timber in Minnesota is $ 100 , 000 , 000 , the reported 
damage by forest fires is regarded as very small. The opinion of the 
chemist at the University of Minnesota is quoted that an average 
prairie fire will remove more nitrogen from the soil than five ordinary 
crops of wheat. 
The year book of the Department of Agriculture for 1897 has been 
issued. It is a volume of 992 pages and is divided into four parts. The 
first consists of the annual report of the Secretary of Agriculture for 
the fiscal year 1897 and covers the operations of the department for the 
year. The eighteen miscellaneous papers, which form the third part, 
were prepared by the chiefs of bureaus and divisions and their expert 
assistants. They cover a variety of subjects and illustrate the extent 
and variety of the scientific work of the department. One of these 
papers discusses the fruit industry. The fourth part, an appendix, 
contains statistical matter for reference. 
“ Yandegrift’s U. 8. Tariff for 1897 ,” revised to March 1, 1898 , is the 
largest and most complete tariff digest ever published. Over twenty 
thousand articles are named with paragraph of law, rate of duty and 
wherever a decision has been made the decision is quoted after the 
article ; making the work indispensable to all having dealings with the 
tariff. Much other information is contained in the book, viz : Foreign 
express tariff to all parts of the world ; the customs administrative act 
as amended, a complete list of drawback articles; all weights, 
measures and coins of foreign countries reduced to their United States 
equivalents ; established rates of tare ; capacity of bottles; standard 
gauge of sheet and plate iron ; in fact, a vertible encyclopedia on the 
tariff. New York and Philadelphia : F. B. Vandegrift & Co. 
Large assortment, se¬ 
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Fruit Plants. Shade and 
Ornamental Trees. Ever¬ 
greens, Roses, Shrubs, 
Vines, Bulbs, etc, 
Write for 
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Slick Bodies, and Heads to be proud of. 
Write or See Us. 
E. T. DICKINSON, 
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Orders solicited and booked now at low rates. 
E. T. DICKINSON, I Broadway, NEW YORK. 
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Carefully collected, will be ready about August 1 st. 
Order now for collection and early shipment. 
TENNESSEE NATURAL PEACH SEED ^ 
If bedded out early, is said to be at least equal, when Jp 
one year old, to new seed. We offer a limited number j » 
of bushels at a low price. Mention paper. | A 
THOMAS MEEHAN & SONS, GERMANTOWN,PA. A 
