THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
193 
on if all will make their prices and hold to them and grow no 
more stock than they can sell at a fair price. The secret is to 
destroy what cannot be sold at a fair price.” 
But there should be uniformity of action. At least the 
members of the American Association could act in unison in 
this matter, and they include the representative nurserymen 
of the country. 
GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTION. 
There has been much comment upon the fact that the United 
States Department of Agriculture distributes annually thousands 
of dollars worth of seeds, under direction of Congress, on the 
ground that thereby the interests of agriculture are advanced. 
The popular opinion, freely expressed, is that this is a waste 
of public funds. 
Nurserymen have not been so directly interested in this 
matter as have florists. Now, however, the nurserymen may 
be directly affected by the reported determination of the Sec¬ 
retary of Agriculture to distribute young trees throughout the 
country. The Washington correspondent of the New York 
Times, says : 
“A new plan, having for its object the distribution of young 
trees throughout the country, will be put into practical opera¬ 
tion by Secretary Wilson, of the Agricultural Department, 
next year. Preparations for this work are now in progress by 
the Department, and many of the seedlings will be propagated 
in the grounds of the office here. 
“An investigation has been made to discover the varieties 
which will thrive best in the various localities, and the distri¬ 
bution will be made in a manner somewhat similar to that em¬ 
ployed in the seed distribution authorized by Congress. 
Especial attention will be given to trees of the nut bearing, 
shade and lawn variety, and oaks, ash and lindens also will 
constitute a prominent portion of the distribution. 
“The Secretary believes the idea will prove popular, and in 
view of the rapidly diminishing forest reserves will be a decided 
benefit to the country.” 
Here is a subject that may be discussed at the convention 
of the American Association next month. 
The following letter from Director Galloway has been 
received : 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, f 
Office of Plant Industry. j 
Washington, D. C., April 25, 1901. 
Editor National Nurseryman : 
“ My dear sir :—Your note of recent date calling attention 
to the newspaper articles in reference to a plan for distribut¬ 
ing trees has been received. Judging from the inquiries 
which have come to us, there is considerable interest in this 
matter and I am glad to furnish you with a statement as to 
the general plan in view. 
“It is not intended by any means to make a promiscuous 
distribution of trees. On the other hand, it is believed that 
any work of this kind should be limited to trees which are 
now only locally known and which through changed con¬ 
ditions obtainable by distribution might prove valuable. 
“It is not the intention of the Department to inteifere in 
any way with the legitimate trade. In fact, it is believed that 
by the proper handling of the matter, the trade can be stimu¬ 
lated by calling attention to the good things we have in our 
own country in a limited way. It is thought that by the dis¬ 
tribution of a few rare trees and similar plants to different 
parts of the country, interest would be aroused which would 
result eventually to the benefit of all lines of horticulture. 
“Thanking you for your kind interest in the matter, I re¬ 
main, Yours truly, 
B. T. Galloway, Director.” 
RIGHTS OF THE ORIGINATOR. 
Jacob Moore, the veteran propagator, again calls attention 
to the demand for protection for the originator of new varie¬ 
ties of fruits. Commenting upon this subject, the Rural New 
Yorker says: 
It is a part of the shame of modern civilization that many of the men 
who have given us the new fruits, flowers and vegetables that have 
really added to the world’s comfort and wealth, have in their old age been 
deprived of ordinary comforts, or been forced to live upon charity. 
Others have grown wealthy by handling their productions in a businesa 
way, but to the shame of society be it said that the profits and a good 
share of the glory have gone to the handlers. We doubt whether it is 
possible to remedy this by law. It is too easy to propagate and spread 
new plants, and too difficult to distinguish them when small. The 
nurserymen of the country might well afford to make up a fund out of 
which prizes or awards could be paid to those who produce really 
superior new fruits. A committee of reliable fruit men should decide 
which varieties are really entitled to such favor, and award the prizes 
to those who stand head and shoulders above the rest. Does anyone 
doubt that under such a system the improvement of our fruits in the 
future would be more rapid ? Is there any class of men in this coun¬ 
try under greater moral and financial obligations to do this than the 
nurserymen ? Can anyone suggest a better plan ? 
DELAWARE NURSERY LAW. 
A bulletin by the State Board of Agriculture, of Delaware, 
gives the following information relative to the enforcement of 
the law relating to the growth and handling of nursery stock : 
transportation op nursery stock. 
Especial attention is directed to Sections 13, 14 and 15 of this law. 
Agents of all transportation companies, railroads and express com¬ 
panies and postmasters, will be held responsible for compliance with 
Section 15, and any carload, bundle, bale or package of nursery stock 
shall not be received for shipment for points outside of the state, with¬ 
out the attachment thereto of the proper certificate signed by Wesley 
Webb, and dated within one year of the time such goods are offered 
for shipment; and if any such agent shall receive any nursery stock for 
delivery within this state, from points without the state, without 
having attached thereto the certificate of a recognized state or govei n- 
ment inspector, said agent shall not deliver such uncertified nursery 
stock, but shall immediately notify Wesley Webb at Dover, Delaware, 
of the receipt of such uncertified stock, and the said W esley Webb 
shall issue instructions directing the disposition of the said nursery 
stock in accordance with Section 14 of the above Act. 
RULES FOR NURSERYMEN. 
The attention of nurserymen, dealers, brokers and all other persons 
is called to sections 10, 11, 12 and 16. of the law. The certificate of 
Wesley Webb, given within one year from the date of shipment or 
delivery of nursery stock, must be attached to every carload or package 
of any kind of nursery stock offered for sale or delivery within this 
state. The penalties for the violation of these sections are severe . 
and section 16 provides that infested stock must be destroyed, and that 
the seller cannot collect pay for the same. After Agust 1, 1901, nur¬ 
serymen in the state will be required to properly fumigate with hydro¬ 
cyanic acid gas all nursery stock offered for sale or shipment or delivery. 
Further information will be furnished upon application to the inspector, 
at Dover. 
