THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
SECRETARY’S WILSON’S REPORT. 
In his annual report the Secretary of the U. S. Department 
of Agriculture says : 
For several years the department has been working to secure, by 
breeding, a race of oranges resistant to frost. It was proposed by this 
means to restore the orange groves of Florida, which formerly produc¬ 
ed several million dollars’ worth of oranges yearly, but were nearly all 
destroyed by cold a few years ago. Twelve of the new evergreen 
hybrid oranges, secured as a result of crossing the hardy Japanese form 
with the Florida sweet orange, have proved to be the hardiest ever¬ 
green oranges known in the world. Southern nurserymen have pro¬ 
nounced them to be of great value as hedge plants, entirely apart from 
their fruit-bearing value. There is great promise, however, that we 
will ultimately secure a fruit that is hardy and of good quality. Some 
of the hybrid raisin grapes, produced with a view of securing resist¬ 
ance to a disease known as “ coulure ” or dropping of the fruit, have 
borne for the first time. These vines have proved hardy so far and 
have produced fruit of remarkably fine quality. Some of the vines 
appear to be resistant to a serious and destructive root disease which 
has appeared in California, and they may resist the worst of all Pacific 
coast grape diseases—the so-called “ California vine disease.” 
POMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 
■ The fruit interests of this country have grown to enormous propor¬ 
tions, and the pomological work of the department is designed to pro¬ 
mote them in every way possible. With this end in view, a large 
exhibit was last year maintained at the Paris Exhibition, the object 
being chiefly to encourage a demand for American products. The 
beneficial effects of this work are already showing in the increased 
demand for American fruits, especially oranges and apples. In 1899 
the United States exported 380,222 barrels of apples, valued at 
$1,210,459. In 1900 526,636 barrels were exported, valued at $1,416,- 
555. Already in 1901 855,973 barrels have been exported, valued at 
$2,058,964. The value of the oranges exported in 1901 is double that 
of 1900, all of which can largely be traced to the interest aroused by 
the work at Paris. 
EXTENSION OF FRUIT MARKETS. 
In order to open up additional markets for our fruit and to bring 
about better methods of harvesting, packing, storing and shipping the 
same, a .small fund was secured for the present fiscal year, and the 
results accomplished with this encourage the belief that there are great 
possibilities for trade in American fruit abroad. Trial shipments of 
pears, peaches, and other fruits have been inaugurated with such 
encouraging results that it is believed the work will be undertaken 
next year on a commercial scale by private interests. With the 
unrivaled facilities America posseses for growing the finest fruits, 
and with a clear understanding as to the proper methods of handling, 
there is no reason why a fine foreign trade should not be developed. 
THE PRUNE INDUSTRY. 
The prune industry of the Western States has grown to large pro¬ 
portions, but in order to-compete with foreign trade the need has long 
been felt for a better knowledge of methods of growing and handling 
the crop and the best varieties to plant. By arrangement between the 
pomologist and botanist an agent was sent during the year to France 
to study the prune industry there. The work of this agent resulted in 
the discovery and introduction of several important varieties that 
promise to be of value in the Pacific Northwest. 
EUROPEAN GRAPES IN THE SOUTH. 
The United States imports every year large quantities of European 
grapes, which are sold mostly for table use. It was believed that some 
of these varieties could be grown in the South, and to test the matter a 
number of plantings were made there three years ago. These grapes 
fruited one year ago, and the indications are that some of the varieties 
will be found valuable for our markets. 
Under the new arrangement through which the experimental gardens 
and grounds become a part of the Bureau of Plant Industry, plans 
have been made for using them in connection with nearly all lines of 
work. The greenhouses and conservatories prove valuable for the 
279 
propagation of many useful plants secured by the agricultural explorers 
and others. 
PLANTS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
The act of Congress establishing the Department of Agriculture 
specifically provides for the introduction and dissemination of rare and 
valuable seeds. More or less of this work has been carried on for forty 
years, but recognizing the needs for enlarged and systematic efforts 
along this line, steps were taken three years ago which led to a great 
increase in the department’s opportunities in this direction. Briefly 
stated, the object of this work is to encourage the building up of home 
industries and thus save the American people large amounts annually 
sent abroad. With our vast resources and variety of climate and soil 
and a people who are never daunted by the difficulty of an undertak¬ 
ing, the possibilities of developing new fields seem unlimited. In 
probably no branch of the department’s work can the practical value 
of its efforts be more quickly shown than in this line. 
SUPERINTENDENT AT ST. LOUIS. 
Frederic W. Taylor, superintendent of horticulture, forestry, 
foods and food products of the Pan-American Exposition, 
arrived in the city yestesday to complete negotiations with the 
executive committee of the World’s Fair relative to his 
appointment as chief of one of the departments of the Loui¬ 
siana Purchase Exposition, says the St. Louis Globe-Demo¬ 
crat. Mr. Taylor has been mentioned in connection with the 
department of agriculture, and it is likely that his appointment 
as its chief will be announced to-day. He was in conference 
yesterday with Director of Exhibits Skiff and with President 
Francis, and he spent some time at the headquarters in the 
Laclede Building. Mr. Taylor’s name has been mentioned 
also in connection with the directorship of concessions, which 
place he held at the Pan-American, but exhibit work is more 
in the line of his profession, and it is likely that this will be 
his lot in the St. Louis Fair. 
Mr. Taylor is a born horticulturist and nurseryman. His 
father was a pioneer in that line in Iowa, and his son was 
trained and educated for the profession from childhood. He 
established himself as a practical nurseryman in Nebraska, and 
his learning and ability received recognition there by a call in 
1891 to the professorship of horticulture at the State Univer¬ 
sity. He developed his work as an educator through univer¬ 
sity extension, farmers’ institutes and similar modes of instruc¬ 
tion for a number of years. When the Omaha Exposition was 
organized Mr. Taylor was the first superintendent selected, and 
he was placed in charge of agriculture, horticulture and for¬ 
estry. His work in these departments at Omaha led to his 
selection for one of the earliest appointments at the Pan- 
American Exposition, and his success there is shown in this 
invitation to St. Louis. 
Mr. Taylor’s experience in his profession as an exposi¬ 
tion man has been broadened by several trips to Europe, 
whither he went in the line of his work. He was sent abroad 
several times by the government for scientific pomological 
study, and a part of his duty at Buffalo carried him to the 
Paris Exposition to make special study of some of its features 
for the benefit of the exposition. He is still a young man, 
having been born in i 860 , and he comes to St. Louis full of 
energy and zeal for his profession. 
W. T. Mitchell & Son, Beverly, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1901 : “Find 
enclosed one dollar for which please send me your paper one year, 
commencing with November number. We could not do without it, 
Wishing you a prosperous year.” 
