12G 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
MEETING OF AMERICAN FLORISTS AND ORNA¬ 
MENTAL HORTICULTURISTS— 
IMPORTANT PAPERS. 
BY JOS. J. GILBERT, STENOGRAPHER TO S. A. F. 
The twentieth Annual Meeting of the Society of American 
Florists and Ornamental Horticulturists, held at St. Louis, 
August 16-19, was attended by representative growers from 
all over the United States. Large delegations were present 
from the south and middle west, and San Francisco and 
Winnipeg were represented. The trade exhibition was as 
large and elaborate as that of previous years. 
Liberal contributions were made to the literature of the 
Society, and the papers and discussions contained many sug¬ 
gestions of practical value to plantsmen. Business of gen¬ 
eral interest to the trade was transacted. 
At the opening session Mr. Robert Craig, of Philadelphia, 
in responding to ex-May or Walbridge’s welcome, deprecated 
the undue prominence of the architectural display at the 
World’s Fair, as compared with that of ornamental horti¬ 
culture. He predicted that the day would come when the 
latter would receive a more generous share of the millions 
devoted to such affairs. 
BUSINESS 
'The reports of the Secretary and Treasurer showed a mem¬ 
bership of over 1100 and a treasury balance of about $3,000 
in the general fund, with a like amount in the permanent 
fund. 
The Legislative Committee reported, as a result of investi¬ 
gations, that all the leading Express companies were con¬ 
tinuing the special rate on plants properly packed. 
The committees on a standard for sizes of bulbs and a scale 
for grading cut flowers reported that the sizes of imported 
bulbs are too well known to warrant change, and that the 
grading of canna and dahlia roots was deemed impracticable. 
They recommend for gladioli the sizes of 5 to 7, 4 to 5 and 
3 to 5 inches. 
Discussion developed a consensus of opinion that any 
arbitrary standard was impracticable, and the reports were 
tabled. 
Messrs. J. C. Vaughan, E. G. Hill, E. T. Boddington, Theo. 
Wirth and Jos. Fuller were appointed to solicit subscriptions 
from the members in aid of the Vilmorin Memorial in France. 
PAPERS 
At the second day’s session Mr. E. G. Hill, of Richmond, 
Inch, read a paper upon the development of an American 
type of roses that will bloom during the summer and autumn 
in the North and Middle West. He stated as the essential 
requisites, vigor of constitution to resist disease and hardi¬ 
ness to overcome climatic changes. In the discussion of 
the paper it was suggested that black spot could be eliminated 
by hybridizing with rugosa but that spines might be caused; 
also that bordeaux mixture is used in nurseries, but that 
apparently healthy plants of some varieties succumbed to 
the spot in a few hours. Mr. Hill declared that if a really 
dependable variety could be produced it would enormously 
increase the rose business. He explained that in pollinating 
the point was to ripen the seed; that the pollen (which is 
much affected by climatic conditions) need not be fresh 
but could be stored in a vial or box not air tight and 
applied with a camel’s hair brush. Reference was also 
made to the contention as to whether “American Beauty” 
is of french or american origin. 
The cultivation of bulbs at Arlington Heights, Illinois, 
was explained by Mr. George Klehm; and Mr. J. C. Vaughan 
spoke of the growing of bulbs in this country. He said that 
North Carolina was becoming the source of a world supply 
of the tuberose, and referred to the growing of French bulbs 
in the Southern States and to similar efforts being made on 
the Pacific Coast. 
A paper by Mr. J. C. Vaughan discussed “The Ideal Em¬ 
ployee” and his attributes of industry, conscientious work, 
discretion and loyalty; holding that “Do it now” is a talis- 
manic motto for the workman who would achieve success. 
He emphasized the value of energy and determination. 
In the discussion upon it the paper was generally com¬ 
mended, but the point was made that the characteristics of 
individuals, like those of localities, varied materially and 
required different treatment. 
At Thursday’s session the following were elected for the 
ensuing year: President, J. C. Vaughan; Vice-President, 
J. R. Freeman; Secretary, W. J. Stewart; Treasurer, H. B. 
Beatty. 
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT. 
An essay was read by Mr. J. A. Pettigrew, of Boston, upon 
“Home and Municipal Improvement from a Horticultural 
Standpoint.” It spoke of the influence of public parks in 
New York, Chicago and other cities in doubling, even quad¬ 
rupling the values of adjacent real estate; and calculated the 
total of municipal park areas in the cities and towns of the 
United States at 75,000 acres, involving an annual expendi¬ 
ture of $11,000,000. Systematic tree planting in beautifying 
streets and as a sanitary measure, as also garden planting 
in school house grounds and the ornamenting of play grounds 
with trees and shrubbery were discussed. 
Comments were made by Superintendent W. R. Smith, 
of the Government Gardens at Washington, D. C., and Wm. 
Scott, of Buffalo, N. Y., upon the aesthetic and refining in¬ 
fluences of parks, and deprecating their management by 
politicians. Mr. J. A. Peterson, of Cincinnati, explained his 
method of growing indoor flowering plants. 
The Society, by a vote of 22 to 30, rejected the long pending 
proposition to coalesce with the auxilliarv societies by enroll¬ 
ing them as Sections of the S. A. F. 
Suggestions were made concerning a possible scarcity of 
tobacco stems for fumigation, as small factories had been 
bought up by manufacturers of plug tobacco. Nicoticide 
and canna stems were spoken of as substitutes. 
President-Elect Vaughan, referring to the outlook 
for the future, spoke optimistically of the possibilities for 
the horticulturist in the popular tendency, especially among 
the wealthy, to own and beautify suburban or rural homes. 
The Society adjourned to meet at Washington, D. C., in 
August, 1905. 
THE CRANBERRY CROP. 
At the beginning of the season the outlook was favorable for a large 
crop. Various causes have brought about a reduction of yield. Frosts 
and fireworms have both contributed in considerable measure. On 
the whole the crop will be considerably less than last season. At the 
end of September, they were selling in New York at $5.50 to $6.50 per 
bushel and in Boston, from $1.75 to $2.25 per bushel box. 
