THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
f 9 
the information did not conform to what, it was said, 
was known by well-posted nurserymen to be the fact. In 
these days of mutual association reports, however, and the 
thorough knowledge that has been acquired of general condi¬ 
tions, it would seem that reliable information should be at 
hand with little effort. It must be conceded that anything of 
so practical a nature would be gladly received by those who 
travel long distances to attend the conventions of the Ameri¬ 
can Association. 
NEW YORK STATE BILL. 
As stated in the last issue of the National Nurseryman, 
the amendment to the bill regulating the sale of nursery stock, 
introduced at the last session of the legislature and held over 
after a conference with the nurserymen, has been reintroduced 
this year in an amended form. It provides for the fumigation of 
all nursery stock coming into the state, and for the fumigation 
of all stock in nurseries, for a period of two years, in cases 
where the scale has been discovered. The New York State 
Fruit Growers’ Association, the Eastern Nurserymen’s Associ¬ 
ation and the State Grange have agreed to the measure and it 
is probable that it will be passed. 
In order to make the matter clear, it should be stated that 
this bill is not the work of the nurserymen of the state. It is 
a measure proposed by the fruit growers and it was accepted 
by the nurserymen as a compromise. It should be understood 
that it does not require that nursery stock be fumigated before 
it enters the state, but that if the stock is not fumigated before 
it comes into the state, it will be fumigated upon entry into the 
state. 
A NURSERY SCHOOL OF BOTANY. 
A innovation that is not only unique and quite original, but 
useful as well, has recently been made by Thomas Meehan & 
Sons, the nurserymen and landscape engineers, of German¬ 
town, Philadelphia. This concern has established for its 
employes a school of botany with a systematic course of study, 
and it has already met with great encouragement. 
This school is under the direct personal care of S. Men- 
delson Meehan, a member of the firm, and Ernest Hem¬ 
ming a Kew graduate who is a specialist in herbaceous 
plants, and in charge of that department for the firrA. The 
former teaches the advanced members of the class and the 
latter instructs the younger element Both express themselves 
as being well pleased with the progress of their pupils. 
Every employe is eligible, from the veteran who has grown 
gray in the service to the apprentice who puts in time washing 
pots. It is surprising and encouraging to see what interest all 
members of the class take and what progress they make. 
Nothing could better show the advancement of the nursery 
business in this country ; it is working ever upward. The 
value of the trained man is becoming every day more appreci¬ 
ated. This departure indicates a desire on the part of the 
employer to educate the employe : raising the man’s standard 
and thus making him worth more in every way. Heretofore 
the training received in nursery work was mostly through 
individual effort, and not so much through the teachings of 
his superiors. 
For the nursery worker the benefits to be gained by study¬ 
ing botany can be readily seen. The advantage such a class 
has to make the most of its studies on a large and complete 
nursery may be well appreciated. 
The meetings are held in the evenings and the course has 
been so arranged to make it interesting and to eliminate as far 
as possible the natural dryness of the study. 
TOO DRASTIC A MEASURE. 
At Richmond on January 7-8 was held the annual meeting 
of the Virginia Horticultural Society. Prof. Alwood who has 
been abroad criticised employers of laboring men in America, 
saying that the French peasantry is better paid and better 
housed than is the laboring class in this country. His state¬ 
ments were refuted by S. Lupton. W. T. Hood delivered an 
interesting address on “ Propagation and Cultivation of 
Nursery Stock.” Prof. Van Deman, of Parsley, also spoke. 
Prof. W. A. Taylor of the United States Department of Agri¬ 
culture, urged an extension of the market for American fruits. 
A resolution was offered by Hon. S. Lupton, requiring the 
state entomologist to publish the names of all orchardists and 
nurserymen whose premises are infested with the San Jose 
scale, insect pest, in order to prevent the sale and growth of 
infected trees. The resolution, as drawn, is a drastic measure, 
and at once provoked vigorous opposition. So general and so 
strong was the sentiment against the resolution that the patron 
decided to withdraw it, but in doing so he gave notice that 
unless the present conditions have been remedied by next 
year, he will reintroduce the resolution. 
Samuel B. Woods, of Charlottesville, was re-elected presi¬ 
dent. W. T. Hood, Richmond, and W. B. Alwood, Blacks¬ 
burg, were elected vice-presidents. 
PARKS AND TREE PLANTING. 
In the January issue of the National Nurseryman we 
called attention to a recent book on the improvement of cities, 
by Charles M. Robinson. Among the many publications on 
this subject now appearing, all of them tending to stimulate 
interest in the nurseryman’s trade, is an article in the magazine 
“Municipal Affairs” by Frederick W. Kelsey, New York. 
A definite plan for all municipal improvements is necessary, 
argues Mr. Kelsey. In tree planting, as in the matter of water 
supply, sewage and other problems requiring the use of the 
streets, the best results obtain under a commission having full 
authority. Indeed, concentrated authority is requisite. No 
one would favor a plan by which each property owner would 
attempt to put down a sidewalk or pavement in front of his 
premises to conform to his particular notion. 1 he hit or 
miss ” plan of street planting is open to similar objection. 
Some trees on a street are, however, unquestionably better 
than none, but where the work is undertaken by a competent 
commission uniformity, economy and other practical results 
follow for the benefit of all. When public sentiment in the 
various states crystalizes into law, empowering authorities to 
carry out a system of street planting, as parks and ether local 
improvements are now made, we shall have still more attractive 
cities with parks and parkway advantages enlarged and 
enhanced in every direction. 
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