THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
137 
for any better conditions in the near future, as crop reports 
from this state have been greatly over-estimated in almost 
every locality, and prices are now declining. In view of 
these facts, we do not anticipate any increase of trade for 
spring. These are the conditions a-s we see them.” 
Kalamazoo, Mich., Oct. 13.—The Central Michigan Nur¬ 
sery reports an increase for fall over a year ago, of 50 
per cent, with better prospects for spring than for five 
years. The dry weather during the past six weeks, has 
interfered with the digging, but a good rain came before 
packing began. This nursery made a very complete display 
at the street fair held in Kalamazoo, October 12-14. They 
are increasing their facilities, by adding new buildings and 
increased planting. A good degree of prosperity is evident. 
L. G. Bragg and James Jeffrey add to the reputation of 
Kalamazoo as a nursery town of no small pretentions. 
Waupaca, Wis., Oct. 18.—Waupaca Arctic Nursery and 
Fruit Farm : A. D. Apple Tree Barnes: “ Nursery sales in 
this state for fall delivery never so light for years past, about 
one-half usual amount sold. Prospect for spring sales are a 
little better. 
“ Drought and hard times have demoralized the trade. Very 
little rains for four weeks past; ground very dry now; will be 
hard on fruit trees and crops in general if it freezes up in this 
condition. Small fruits and cherries when grown were a good 
crop in Wisconsin. Very few apples and these only in sec¬ 
tions. State and county fairs generally a success this fall. 
“I took first prize at state fair on apples, pears and plums; 
also for handsomest apples. Am selling apples from trees 
now at $1.00 per bushel. If we get rain before ground freezes 
up, will get an immense crop of fruit in Wisconsin next year. 
“ Crops generally good, except in the old potato district. 
Potatoes are very poor, owing to the continued cropping to 
this one kind. In the newer territory they are fine and a good 
yield, selling at 35 to 50 cents. Will get i,6oo to 2,000 car 
loads for Waupaca market from this crop. Live stock in fine 
condition and prices fair, except on horses.” 
IN THE EAST, 
Geneva, N, Y., Oct. 13.—The Geneva Nursery, W. & T_ 
Smith Company: “As to our fall sales we would say that we 
are having all we can do on account of the very hard digging. 
We think the quantity of trees shipped by Qs will be equal to 
last fall’s business, but prices are ruling very low.” 
West Chester, Pa., Oct. 15.—Hoopes, Bro. & Thomas, 
Maple Avenue Nurseries: “We can see a marked improve¬ 
ment in this fall’s business over that of the autumn of 1896, 
and look for a good trade in spring of 1898. If nurserymen 
would only stiffen up on prices there would be just as many 
trees sold, and the advance would pay for the cost of growing 
them.” 
Richmond, Va., Oct. 16.—W. T. Hood & Co., Old Do¬ 
minion Nurseries: “ Our agency department this year has 
done a very satisfactory business in amount ; our sales are 
somewhat larger than they have been at any time before, but 
the increase in business has been secured by hard pushing. 
The trade demand for trees is very light, and trade prices are 
too low for profit. We consider the outlook far from bright, 
“We are having the driest season for digging we have ever 
experienced. This will make our digging very expensive and 
delay our shipments. 
“The San Jose scale in our opinion has deterred many 
persons from embarking in the orchard business who otherwise 
would have planted freely. This has been a help to depress 
business.” 
Berlin, Md., Oct. 18.—J. G. Harrison & Sons: “Our fall 
trade is usually light. Up to this date we have sold more 
stock than any previous year. Peach trees being our specialty, 
we budded in 1896 over one and one-half million ; in 1897 
over eleven hundred thousand. We have a heavy stock and 
the past favorable growing season makes our peach very fine, 
fully up to the standard. The outlook is very good for the 
sale of perfectly healthy trees. Our nurseries are very favor¬ 
ably located within seven miles of the Atlantic ocean, near 
Ocean city, and there has not been a case of yellows or scale 
found in our county. The only objection to the trade we see 
is that some are offering peach so very low they cannot afford 
to sell at such prices and stay on their feet. Some one will 
have to go with the low prices.” 
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., Oct 18.—Thomas 
Meehan & Sons : “ The dry weather has been a great check 
to business in this part of the country this fall. As a rule we 
do quite an extensive fall trade; but this year it has been very 
poor. At the present time it is picking up a little, and prob¬ 
ably if winter does not set in until late, we may handle our 
usual amount of stock. What orders are coming in are for 
quite small amounts.” 
Reading, Mass, Oct. 16.—Jacob W. Manning: “The 
prospects seem quite flattering at present. What the result 
will actually be, remains to be seen. However, we expect a 
good fall trade.” 
Baird, N. J., Oct. 15:—David Baird & Son: “Our sales 
for fall delivery are not up to average, but our line of goods is 
largely wanted for spring.” 
IN THE GENESEE VALLEY. 
Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 13.—Irving Rouse, Lake View 
Nurseries : “The season has been so extremely dry, that fall 
digging has been greatly retarded, and much stock that would 
have been handled this fall, held over until spring. Our im¬ 
pression is, that the smallest fall’s business in the history of 
the trade will be done this season. Prices continue extremely 
unsatisfactory ; in fact, ranging lower than ever before, and 
we see nothing very encouraging for the business, in the im¬ 
mediate outlook.” 
Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 13.—Brown Brothers Co., Conti¬ 
nental Nurseries : “We consider the outlook for retail spring 
business more favorable than it has been in some time. Since 
August ist every week shows improved sales over the corre¬ 
sponding weeks of 1896. As to the wholesale business we 
cannot'see any reason for expectation that prices will strengthen 
very much. In some lines they will stiffen up some, but in 
general prices will be so low at wholesale for some time to 
come as to preclude'profit. 
“The wholesale trade is suffering from a bad and prolonged 
case of over-production and until much more conservative 
plantings are made, the increased demand that will come with 
better times will not have much effect on wholesale values.” 
Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 14.—Chase Brothers Company, 
New England Nurseries: “Our fall shipments figure about 
the same in value as those of a year ago, but as prices are 
