The National Nurseryman. 
FOR GROWERS AND DEALERS IN NURSERY STOCK. 
Copyright, 1897, by the National Nurseryman Publishing Co. 
VoL. V. ROCHESTER, N. Y., NOVEMBER, 1897. No. 10. 
FALL SALES 
In Most Cases Up to the Average—In some 
Cases Considerably Increased—Encour¬ 
aging Signs for Spring Trade. 
Following are reports regarding fall trade and the prospects 
for spring trade, received from various points throughout the 
country, especially prepared for the National Nurseryman : 
IN THE WEST. 
Crete, Neb., Oct. 16.—E. F. Stephens: “The wheat crop 
in Nebraska this year has been fairly good, and in price it has 
been 60 to 100 per cent, higher than a year ago. The market¬ 
ing of this crop of wheat has been a great help to all lines of 
business in the state, and the nursery business has had its fair 
share of the increase. The corn crop of the state has been 
over-estimated. The drought of the last eight weeks has 
helped to cut it short. The crop, however, is worth in our 
local markets from 50 to 100 per cent, more than a year ago. 
While the corn crop this year is not nearly as large as last year^ 
the higher price helps to compensate for the lessened yield. 
“ But above all, in accounting for the different aspect of 
business, is the fact that, the presidential year having passed 
by and the election interests of this year being of little import¬ 
ance, confined to one Supreme judge and two regents of the 
State University, very little interest is taken in politics this 
year by people of any party. There is a general disposition 
to work with might and main to grow, handle, harvest, and 
sell the fine crop which we have in the state ; a general revival 
of confidence; a general disposition to enter heartily into 
business ; no time for the bitter distrusts and enmities which 
poisoned everything last year ; hidden capital has come out 
into sight ; small country banks have deposits in some cases 
two or three times as large as their capital; eastern loans are 
being freely made to those who have good property ; the busi¬ 
ness outlook is much better than last year. 
“We judge the nursery business will be 50 per cent, better 
than last year. In our own case it is probably 100 per cent, 
better in the form of orders already secured for spring busi¬ 
ness. All kinds of nursery stock have made a good growth, 
and there is a much larger stock of apple trees, and some 
other lines than can be sold within the state. We think 
most of the nurseries in the state have a surplus they would 
be glad to ship to eastern nurseries or any other market. We 
think more merchantable cherries, peaches, and plums have 
been grown in the state in the past year than in any other in 
our history, there being a general disposition to grow their 
own stock rather than to depend on eastern parties. 
“The apple crop, where orchards were young and carefully 
cultivated and handled, is fairly good. In the hands of the 
average farmer, from lack of proper and judicious cultivation, 
dry weather has caused heavy loss by dropping. Three- 
fourths of our farmers have not yet learned to spray to guard 
against codlin moth. 
“We do not think there are any more apples in the state 
than the state is willing to buy and pay for, although a good 
many apples will be shipped out of the eastern counties which 
ought to be retained for our own trade. We think that choice 
winter apples will bring at least $1.00 per bushel this winter.” 
Topeka, Kan., Oct. 16.—F. W. Watson & Co.: “A little 
early for an estimate of fall sales yet, though so far we think 
there is quite an improvement on last year at this time. Trade 
through the West and the Northwest has greatly improved 
over last year, showing the beneficial results for the nursery¬ 
men of a large wheat crop at a fair price. While prices for 
nursery stock are still at the very lowest point, there seems to 
be a feeling all around that they will be higher by spring ; 
and in consequence we have booked more spring orders at 
this date than for any previous year in our business.” 
Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 16.—M. E. Callahan, treas¬ 
urer and manager Pioneer Nurseries Company: “Fall sales 
are no better than last year. Only a fair outlook for spring. 
“We are waiting for the McKinley prosperity to come along 
and help us out.” 
CENTRAL STATES. 
Dayton, O., Oct. 13.—When two or three Miami Valley 
nurserymen are gathered together in one place, they natur¬ 
ally become confidential and, prompted by a common bond of 
sympathy, quietly acknowledge to one another that business is 
not quite up to the “hard times average” even. They then 
quickly turn to the prospects, so luxuriantly fringed and dec¬ 
orated with dollar wheat and fifteen cent tobacco, and with 
one accord, boldly undertake to live over another season on 
“prospects.” 
The revival in business came too late in the year to help 
nurserymen to any great extent, and the extraordinary dry 
weather has had the effect of deferring a great deal of business 
until spring. However, in view of the prevailing conditions 
at the time when most of the retail sales were made, the bus¬ 
iness in a wholesale way is quite as good as could be expected. 
The business already done for spring is very encouraging, and 
the indications are we will have a lively trade with shortage 
on a great many lines of stock. 
Bridgeport, Ind., Oct. 14.—Albertson & Hobbs: “The 
excessive dry weather has delayed fall digging and packing 
until we are now just getting fairly started into it. Some, we 
understand are pretty well through with packing, not having 
waited on account of drought. 
“Agents’ trade about same as last year. Wholesale trade, so 
far, light; but we think indications are good for surplus being 
used up closely by spring and, if we get good rains, for con¬ 
siderable wholesale trade yet this fall. So far as we have had 
reports from others they seem to be about the same as our 
experience. 
“ If prices pan be made a little more steady, buyers will not 
