The National Nurseryman. 
FOR GROWERS AND DEALERS IN NURSERY STOCK. 
Copyrighted 1903 by The National Nurseryman Publishing Co.. Incorporated. 
“ The nurseryman is in honor hound to use the greatest care in propagating .” — J. H. IIai.ic 
Vol. XI. ROCHESTER, N. Y., JULY. 1903. No. 7. 
DETROIT COIS VEISTIOIS. 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTY EIGHTH ANNEAL MEETING 
OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN. 
Two Hundred and Fifty Members Present—Practical Topics Dis¬ 
cussed by Experts — Insurance — Varieties — Publicity — 
Fumigation—Cost of a Tree—Ornamental Stock — 
Financial Reports—Work for State Vice. 
Presidents — N. W. Hale, President 
—Atlanta Next Year. 
One of the liveliest conventions of the American Associa¬ 
tion of Nurserymen was the twenty-eighth, held at Detroit, 
June 10-12, under generally favorable conditions. The weather 
was unusually cool, but this interfered only with such sight¬ 
seeing as had been planned. 
At 10:30 A. M. on June 10th President Charles A. Ilgen- 
fritz called the convention to order in the Assembly hall in 
the Hotel Cadillac, and introduced Mayor Maybury, who 
gracefully welcomed the nurserymen to Detroit. The response 
was by George A. Sweet, of Dansville, N. Y., whose sugges¬ 
tion that the mayor be elected an honorary member of the 
Association was adopted on motion of C. L. Watrous. 
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
President Ilgenfritz delivered his address as follows : 
Gentlemen of the American Association of Nurserymen : 
We are assembled to-day in the beautiful City of the Straits for our 
twenty-eighth annual convention. The wisdom of the founders of this 
organization is manifest by the large attendance on this occasion, and 
it must be a matter of personal pride to the many we are favored with 
having here, who were present at its birth. 
Much good has been accomplished in the past, yet I believe the 
opportunity for still greater good is open to the future of this Associa¬ 
tion. This is an age of organization and progression, and if we would 
keep pace with it, we must be up and doing. The social feature of 
this body, one of the purposes of its formation, has been most gratify - 
ingly successful ; with this element existing to so marked a degree,.it 
would appear that the efforts of the members for bringing about still 
better methods of business can be accomplished. I cannot refrain from 
saying that a feeling of unrest is apparent and that something more is 
desired by many. There are a number of matters of vital importance 
in the interest of all, which cannot be managed individually, that 
should be discussed and considered here, and it will be only through 
concerted action that the desired results can be attained. Congratula¬ 
tions are due the members of this Association for the year of prosperity 
that has just passed and although there have been some disappoint¬ 
ments met with, yet on the whole the conditions of business have been 
favorable, and it is to be hoped that they will continue as good. 
OVERPRODUCTION. 
We are enjoying our share of prosperity with other lines of indus¬ 
try, but the question is, are we not on the verge of overproduction by 
which many will sacrifice the profits of the past few years in their 
endeavors to gratify the ambition of greater gain ? This is an impor 
tant matter and should be well considered. 
The Association is to be complimented on the excellent woik of a 
number of its committees this year, who have labored faithfully and 
well for the interest of this organization. Through the courtesy of the 
members of your legislative committee, I had the pleasure of meeting 
with them in Washington. They did everything in their power to 
obtain the passage of the federal bill. I can assure you that the com¬ 
mittee represented this Association most creditably, and although they 
did not succeed, yet I believe their efforts will not go amiss and that 
the foundation is well laid to accomplish in the future what is desired, 
as I feel confident will be later reported by your committee. 
During the past year the eastern classification committee of railroads 
has made some changes in the rates on the transportation of nursery 
stock, the most objectionable feature of which was advancing the rate 
on nursery stock in boxes from third to second class. Changes were 
also made in regard to rates on carload lots, making lower rates on 
smaller cars and higher rates on the largest, which I think will work 
no particular hardship. Owing to the overworked condition of the 
railroads it was not deemed advisable by your committee on transporta¬ 
tion to do anything in the matter at present, but as soon as the strain 
on the railroads is removed some important work can be accomplished 
by your committee. 
TWO NEW COMMITTEES. 
Two new committees were appointed this year, one on program as 
authorized by the Association, and another on publicity. I think both 
committees will assist materially in the interest of the work of the Asso¬ 
ciation. The program committee has been untiring in its efforts to 
accomplish its work in a manner that will, I believe, prove satisfac¬ 
tory to all, and to Mr. McFarland of the committee the credit is due. 
In reference to exhibits at our annual meeting, I think they should be 
encouraged and that there should be a committee for that purpose. 
It is the only opportunity many have of seeing for themseves the new 
fruits that are in season, specimen trees and plants, implements, spray¬ 
ing apparatus and the many articles that are necessary to the success¬ 
ful nurseryman. 
Fire insurance has become an important matter with nurserymen 
and I believe should receive attention from this Association. Mutual 
companies are being successfully conducted all over this country, and 
I have good reason to think that this body is as fully competent to 
deal with it as any other, and that much financial benefit could be de¬ 
rived by nurserymen if a mutual fire insurance company was formed 
from among its members. I recommend that a committee be ap¬ 
pointed to investigate the matter. 
INCREASE OF DUES. 
I would suggest that the annual dues of the Association be advanced 
to five dollars. I do not think that it would effect our membership 
and it would afford more money, which could be used to good advan¬ 
tage. I do not think it would be good policy to build up a large 
fund, but there are many ways in which more money can be used to 
further the interest of the members of this organization, if it was at 
the disposal of its committees. 
Our secretary is entitled to much credit for the able manner in which 
he attends to the duties of his office, and to his efficient management is 
due to a large extent the success of our Association. 
We are fortunate in having a worthy treasurer ever faithful to his 
trust, and who embraces every opportunity to advance the welfare of 
this organization. 
In conclusion, I would say I appreciate the honor you have con¬ 
ferred on me by being elected to this important position. It was un¬ 
expected and I reluctantly accepted, feeling that you could make a 
better selection, but since it was so decreed, I have endeavored to dis¬ 
charge the duties to the best of my ability. I feel very thankful to the 
officers and committees who have given me their ready and able sup¬ 
port, and I hope each member will do all he can to make this a pleas¬ 
ant and profitable convention. Each one has his part to take toward 
making this a successful meeting- and one that will repay each person 
for coming here. 
