THE NATIONAL 
NURSERYMAN. 
JACK FROST US DIXIE. 
Low Temperature on May 1st Nipped Peach and Plum Buds—Large 
Blocks of Shade Trees Severely Damaged -All Grape 
Vines Suffered—Excesses of Rain, Sudden Drouth, 
Then a Freeze—Nursery Trade Promising. 
Sherman, Texas, May 12.—John S. Kerr, Sherman Commer¬ 
cial Nurseries: “ In the Southwest the unexpected frequently 
happens in climatic conditions ; but it is very seldom, if ever, 
we have been visited by heavy frosts during May. In the fif¬ 
ties, old Texans say, the wheat was killed just in the act of 
heading, during May, and it came out and made a fair crop 
after that. On the morning of May 1st, this year, we had a 
white frost, extending down as far as Central Texas, about 
Waco. In the northern tier of coun¬ 
ties the damage has been consider¬ 
able on the fruit, vegetables, cotton 
and corn, especially on low ground. 
Small grain was not hurt. 
“ The nurserymen have come in 
for a considerable share of the loss. 
Peach and plum buds, being about 
one to three feet high, on the low 
grounds were nipped, so that most 
of them will have to be cut back to a 
lower limb. Apple and pear trees 
were not so much hurt. Large blocks 
of shade trees of Sycamore, Hack- 
berry, Catalpa, Black Locust and 
Umbrella China were severely dam¬ 
aged, many blocks having to be cut 
back to the ground, while others are 
putting out new growth at the base 
of the limbs. All grape vines, both 
in nursery and vineyard, have suf¬ 
fered severely. 
“ It might be said the Southwest 
has suffered three calamities, first 
the excesses of rain throughout the 
winter and spring, second, the sud¬ 
den drouth, which set in the first 
of April and continue till May ir. 
This renders the ground hard and 
cloddy. And now, the freeze, which is made more dam¬ 
aging for the want of rain to cause vegetation to rally. Yet, 
if we have rain soon, we may expect fine crops and good times, 
though much delayed at this writing. 
“Nurserymen of Texas and the Southwest have a record- 
breaker in the way of trade the past season, which closed here 
April 1 st. The stock on hand was heavy, and the demand far 
exceeded the supply, especially in Elberta peach trees. Many 
car loads were shipped in from distant points, and still many 
contracts had to be defaulted. 
“ The spirit of general orchard planting has prevailed a n d 
has not been satisfied. Commercial orchard companies are 
the rule, and most every farmer or owner of land in the fruit 
sections has an orchard. 
“ There is a large stock of most lines in sight for fall of 1903. 
Seed has come up reasonably well. Grafts and cuttings a fair 
57 
stand. Good rains on May 11th will enable frosted stock of 
May 1 st to recover rapidly. 
The apple fruit crop promises well. Other lines of fruit 
rather poor, owing to heavy crops past two years and the heavy 
frost May 1st.” 
H. S. TAYLOR. 
We present herewith a likeness of Hinman S. Taylor, who 
was born in Rochester, N. Y„ in 1867. He received his early 
education in the public schools of that city. For a number of 
years he was engaged in conducting commercial schools in 
Pennsylvania and Ohio. 
Returning to Rochester in 1888, he became interested in the 
nursery business. With his brother, Fred. V. Taylor, a part¬ 
nership under the name of H. S. Taylor & Co. was formed 
A prosperous business was built up 
resulting in the employment of a 
large number of salesmen on the road 
and the shipment of the stock to all 
sections. The offices are in the Cut¬ 
ler building, Rochester, and are fully 
equipped for handling a large busi¬ 
ness. 
Mr. Taylor is also president of 
the H. S. Taylor Nursery Co., the 
other officers of which are : J. F. 
Norris, vice-president ; F. V. Taylor, 
secretary. This company is engaged 
in growing extensively a general line 
of nursery stock and conducting a 
wholesale business, furnishing stock 
and packing for other nursery con¬ 
cerns and dealers. The nurseries 
are at Brighton, N. Y., and comprise 
upwards of 100 acres. The mem¬ 
bers of the company are pleased at 
all times to conduct friends and 
customers about the nurseries. 
The subject of this sketch is a 
member of the American Associa¬ 
tion of Nurserymen, the Eastern 
Nurserymen’s Association and the 
Western New York Horticultural 
Society. In fraternal circles he is 
a member of Yonnondio Lodge, 163, F. & A. M., Rochester 
City Lodge, K. of P., and Rochester Company, U. R. K. of P. 
Mr. Taylor has taken an active interest in the nursery busi¬ 
ness and has gained a thorough knowledge of the details per¬ 
taining to the growing, packing, handling and shipping of all 
classes of nursery stock. He was married in 1892. 
SHORTAGE IN IMPORTED STOCKS. 
August Rollker & Sons, New York, last month received a 
cablegram from Elmire Sebire, of Ussy, France, to the effect 
that crops will be short in Mahaleb, Mazzard cherry and My- 
robalan plum. _ 
Dansville, N. Y., May 1 , 1903 .—George A. Sweet: “Enclosed 
find $1 for renewal. We find your journal very interesting and in¬ 
structive and do not see how any nurseryman could do without it.” 
H. S. Taylor. 
