THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
NEBRASKA. 
Several Papers of State interest Read 
AT THE Society Meeting—General 
Talks on Forest and Fruit. 
The twenty-eighth annual meeting of the Nebraska Horti¬ 
cultural Society was held at the State University, at Lincoln, 
on January 12-14. Several hundred plates of choice apples 
were exhibited. President E. F. Stephens, of Crete, in his 
annual address mentioned, as needful for horticultural success, 
cold storage, railroad facilities, the building of good business 
reputations, freer planting, strong efforts for local organization. 
Papers were read by Peter Youngers, Jr., Geneva, on “For¬ 
est Trees in Nebraska Rev. C. S. Harrison, of Weeping 
Water, on “ The Beautiful Home H. F. McIntosh, Omaha, 
on “The Press: Its Relation to Horticulture;” A. F. Cole¬ 
man, Corning, la., on “Crossing of Fruits Prof. Lawrence 
Bruner, of the University, on “Insects Injurious to Trees.” 
Silas Wilson, Atlantic, la., sent a .letter giving practical 
instruction on the growing of grapes. 
In his paper Mr. Youngers favored in the order named ash, 
elm, honey locust, black walnut and Russian Mulberry, and 
of the everngreens, red cedar, Scotch pine, Austrian pine. 
Black Hills spruce. Silver fir and Blue Spruce. He recom¬ 
mends ash for general planting everywhere, and elm as the 
best for shade. 
Prof. C. E. Bessey of the University gave one of his 
interesting papers on “Varieties and Distribution of Forest 
Trees in Nebraska.” He showed that the treeless plains of 
Nebraska had been partially wooded at one time. From the 
east came such trees as could stand the climatic conditions 
creeping along the water courses or being dropped as seed by 
birds. From the west the mountain trees seeds came down 
the streams. Nebraska thus has a greater variety of native 
trees than Iowa for instance. The trees found in the north¬ 
west corner of Nebraska are often those which have even 
reached Iowa. The total number of varieties now growing 
in the state is between sixty and seventy. Dr. Bessey urged 
the re-foresting of the sand hills of the state. In connection 
with this topic he wished people to understand that the sand 
hills are not all sand. The soil of these sand hills is better 
than that of Michigan on which heavy pine forests grow. He 
would begin by planting the trees in the valleys and creeping 
up and over the hills beginning at the southeastern portion of 
the Sand Hill District. He thought this a work worthy of 
governmental assistance. 
Prof. E. T. Hartley urged the planting of the wild cherry 
which grows in some form or other all over the state. Prof. 
H. B. Ward of the University gave beautiful word paintings 
of the “Forest Gardens of the Harz Mountains” in Germany. 
A number of potted palms graced the desk and the seats 
were all filled as amid fragrant scent of apples and pines the 
society met Wednesday morning for the second day’s session. 
J. A. Hogg of Shelton read the first paper on “Essentials of 
Successful Orcharding in Western Nebraska.” He found that 
two old trees headed from four to six inches from the ground 
were the most likely to grow. He gave five reasons : branch¬ 
ing out protects the trunk from injury, it prevents sun scald, 
it keeps the ground moist and prevents evaporation, wind 
11 
does not injure the fruit so readily, and the fruit is easier to 
piek. The branches also tend to guard the trunk against hail. 
He uses Honey Locust and Russian Mulberry for wind break 
and finds for success with grapes sub-irrigation is necessary. 
C. A. Barnard discussed “Methods and Varieties of Apples 
for Commercial Orcharding,,” recommending Early Harvest 
and Red Astrachan for early varieties. Fall Winesap and 
Maiden Blush ripening next in order, and for winter use 
Winter Winesap, Jonathan, Genitan, and Missouri Pippin. 
G. A. Marshall of Arlington in his talk on “ Profitable 
Orcharding” said that Early Harvest and Maiden Blush which 
succeed well in Southeastern Nebraska will not do well 
north of the Platte. Walbridge and Iowa Blush take their 
place. Whitney also is good. J. M. Russell of Wymore was 
absent, but his son talked for him on “ The Peach : Our 
Experience With it in ’96.” They head the tree to the ground 
and prune freely. The crop was large, quality not so good as 
in former years, prices low, 60,000 baskets selling at from 20 
to 40 cents per basket, wholesale. 
The report of the treasurer showed that the society has 
$1,178.25 on hand. 
EASTERN NURSERYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
At a meeting last month of the Eastern Nurserymen’s Asso¬ 
ciation, Chairman Irving Rouse presented the report of the 
committee appointed to present a schedule to the ways and 
means committee at Washington. The report included the 
schedule which appears on the first page of this issue of The 
National Nurseryman. A resolution was adopted to.the 
effect that the nurserymen of the country ask this schedule of 
tariff rates or none at all. 
©bituari?. 
Wakefield M. Samuels, of the firm of W. M. Samuels & Co., 
Clinton, Ky., died Jan. 8, aged 76. Mr. Samuels engaged in 
the hotel and mercantile business until 1858. After serving 
two terms as sheriff he entered the nursery business, establish¬ 
ing the Mississippi Valley Nurseries. At the organization at 
St. Louis, in 1880, of the American Horticultural Society he 
was a charter member, was made vice-president for his own 
state, and also for the American Pomological Society. He 
was elected an honorary member of the various state societies, 
attended the principal meetings of the organization and fur¬ 
nished articles so highly esteemed as to be copied in the lead¬ 
ing papers in the United States. He was for 50 years a Free 
Mason and was highly respected in the community. He leaves 
two sons and three daughters. 
William L. Smith died at Johnston, R. I., on January 13. 
He was born at Warwick, R. I., in 1816. 
GREAT HELP TO THE BUSINESS. 
Edward Bacon, Dansville, N. Y.—“I enclose $l for subscription. 
I appreciate your journal very much and think it a great help to the 
business.” 
COULD NOT DO WITHOUT IT. 
James W Brown, Canton, Pa. —“Enclosed find $1 to renew sub¬ 
scription to the National Nurseryman. I would not do without it.” 
