THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
57 
This work should be carried on through the co-opera¬ 
tion of both state and federal authorities so that then' 
will not be a duplication of officials, thereby eliminating 
all chance of friction and misunderstanding which 
usually follows when two sets of officers have authority 
over the same work, but are working under different 
heads. 
If we should agree that through the enactment of a 
uniform law in the different states, all of our horticul¬ 
tural interests can best be fostered, conserved and pro¬ 
tected from the ravages of insect pests, bacterial and fun¬ 
gus diseases, we are again confronted with the problem 
of how to bring about this result; and from the great 
number of state laws and county ordinances, how are we 
to select and agree upon a law that would be uniformly 
fair and just, and at the same time meet the requirements 
necessary to give the proper protection to all sections of 
of the state? 
In attempting to answer this question, may say that 
the nursery branch of horticulture, on account of the na¬ 
ture of its business being of an interesting character, has 
for many years felt the great need of uniformity in our 
laws, and have from time to time at their conventions dis¬ 
cussed the feasibility of this work, but it was not until 
the joint meeting of the Pacific Coast and American Asso¬ 
ciations in Portland, June 17-20. 1913, that a concrete 
plan was evolved for bringing this matter to the attention 
of the horticultural authorities and others. At this con¬ 
vention, the subject received more than passing notice. In 
fact, the best part of two days was devoted to the discus¬ 
sion of this and kindred subjects, with the result that a 
committee was appointed to draft a resolution, whose fol¬ 
lowing report was adopted by the Convention and a per¬ 
manent committee appointed. 
‘‘Report of Joint Committees on Uniform Laws. 
We, the members of the American Association of Nur¬ 
serymen and the Pacific Coast Association of Nursery¬ 
men, realizing that the multiplicity of State laws governing 
the control of injurious insects and diseases, of all classes of 
horticultural products are often a menace; and realizing 
that these laws govern particular areas of the country 
which have a diverse horticultural production, and differing 
conditions of soils and climate; and inasmuch as it is 
a well settled fact that depleted soils invite enemies, such 
as insects and diseases, fungus and bacterial elements 
(which is in accordance with natural law provided for 
elimination of all unfit plant life); and realizing that the 
growing of horticultural products and their free exchange 
between one section of the country and another is often 
retarded, hampered, and in many cases made unprofitable 
and prohibitive under much of the legislation now in force 
in the several states; and realizing that it is of the utmost 
importance that all horticultural products should be as free 
as possible from injurious insects and diseases, which 
have at times resulted in diverse, drastic and in some 
cases unjust conditions for the free and equitable exchange 
of horticultural product of all kinds; Therefore: 
It is recommended by this joint committee, representing 
in its personnel the American Association of Nurserymen, and 
the Pacific Coast Association of Nurserymen, that both organ¬ 
izations proceed to provide moneys (to be known as the ‘Hor¬ 
ticultural Improvement fund’) by a voluntary contribution 
not to exceed twenty-five dollars from the firms in both 
associations, or others interested in horticulture; said con¬ 
tributions to be made within ninety days from the date of 
this notice, and payments to be made to the treasurer of 
the American Association, for the express purpose of pro¬ 
viding ways and means to secure uniform horticultural laws, 
as between one state and another, which in our judgment 
is only feasible by the appointment of a committee wnose 
duties shall be to secure copies of all horticultural laws 
now in force in all th e states and territories of the United 
States; and to make a digest of the same, to the end that 
that there shall be evolved and created out of this investi¬ 
gation and study, a law that shall develop, foster, conserve 
and protect all the interests of horticulture in all its several 
divisions, and which shall have the support and indorsement 
of horticultural officers and all the horticultural industries 
of the several states. And we further recommend that this 
convention adopt this report and proceed to carry out its 
provisions by the appointment of a committee of three,' 
which shall consist of one member from the Atlantic 
Coast, one from the Mississippi Valley Region, and one 
from the Pacific Coast, with full power to utilize this fund 
as in their judgment shall be deemed necessary. And it is 
further recommended that this report be placed upon the 
records of both organizations. 
“All of which is respectfully submitted. 
Geo. C. Roeding P. A. Wiggins H. B. Chase 
S. A. Miller M. McDonald J. B. Morey 
P. A. Dix Peter Youngers, C. M. Peters 
A. W. Kirkpatrick, Chairman.” 
This permanent committee composed of William Pit¬ 
kin, of Rochester, New York; Mr. Peter Youngers, of 
Geneva, Nebraska; anti myself at once took up the work 
as outlined. Copies of all the laws of the different states 
have been accumulated; letters have been written to hor¬ 
ticultural authorities, officials of horticulture societies, 
agricultural colleges and numerous interested parties 
asking for their advice and co-operation in the matter, all 
of whom have given their most unqualified support for 
the principle of uniform legislation. Resides, the com¬ 
mittee has met with the National Association of Horticul¬ 
tural Inspectors, whose chairman. Prof. J. G. Sanders, of 
Wisconsin, is working on a draft of a Uniform Inspection 
Law. This, together with a compilation from a digest of 
the laws of the different states in the form of a proposed 
horticultural hill. I have here with me, which I would he 
pleased to place before your legislative committee, or a 
special committee appointed for the purpose of examin¬ 
ing same. 
With a view of getting the advice and enlisting the 
sympathy and endorsement of this association iu the 
work of uniform horticultural legislation, I may say fur¬ 
ther, that the draft of this proposed horticultural hill has 
been closely scrutinized by eminent horticultural 
authorities, has been carefully examined by a committee 
of the Pacific Coast Nurserymen's Association; and then 
again, by the Committee of the American Association ol 
Nurserymen at Cleveland. Ohio, last June. \\ e believe 
this bill has ground work upon which a uniform horticul¬ 
tural law can be framed that wall, when in operation, 
with such changes as may he deemed necessary upon 
further study and investigation, fully carry out tin' prin¬ 
ciple as outlined herein. 
We still further believe that if all of the horticultural 
associations and authorities can be induced to work in 
harmony for the principle of uniform laws, there will be 
no trouble in getting them passed by tin* various legisla¬ 
tures interested, because it has been shown that there is 
an almost universal sentiment for this uniformity in our 
laws to be brought about. May I hope that your conven¬ 
tion will take immediate action and pass upon this very 
important subject. 
