The National Nurseryman. 
FOR GROWERS AND DEALERS IN NURSERY STOCK. 
“ America is pre eminently a fruit growing country .'"— Pkof. L. H. Bailey. 
Vol. X. ROCHESTER, N. Y., APRIL, 1902. No. 4 
WHARF EXAMINATION. 
New Ruling by the Appraiser of the Port of New York—Result of 
Correspondence With Collector George R. Bldwell by Frede¬ 
rick W. Kelsey—Hereafter There Will be Wharf Examina¬ 
tion Only of Nursery Stock at the Port of New York — 
Costly Delays to be Avoided. 
At the convention of the American Association in 1900. 
Thomas B. Meehan,' chairman of the special committee 
on the importation of nursery stock, presented a report on 
the examination of stock at the port of New York. He 
reported that during the winter of 1899 the appraiser at 
that port had declared that wharf examination of nursery 
stock was impracticable ; that it was necessary to remove such 
stock to the public stores. This it was shown caused much 
delay and consequent damage to perishable stock. An order 
from the Secretary of the Treasury was issued regulating the 
examination of nursery stock upon its arrival in New York and 
it was thought the matter had been settled satisfactorily. At 
that time Frederick VV. Kelsey, of New York, strongly favored 
wharf examination only, and showed that any other examination 
was productive of costly delay. 
There being no strict observance of the direction that wharf 
examination be practiced, and delays continuing in the busi¬ 
ness of importing, Mr. Kelsey renewed investigation of the 
matter late in 1*901, with the result shown in the following 
correspondence: 
New York, January 29, 1902. 
Hon. George R. Bldwell , Collector , Etc.. Custom House, Etc.: 
Dear Sir —Referring to the antiquated system of carting perishable 
nursery stock to Public Store for examination, regarding which we 
have previously had some conversation and correspondence, permit me 
to inquire if you do not now consider it advisable that this wholly 
needless system be done away with and the former system of wharf 
examination—that was always, so far as I know, entirely acceptable 
alike to the government and honest importers—be again adopted. 
The amount of injury and loss to citizens and the business that has 
been diverted from this port, owing to the unreasonable and, I believe, 
unjustifiable, action of the former appraiser in sending this material to 
Public Store, and the losses incident thereto, cannot be easily com¬ 
puted. To my own knowledge many of the large nursery houses im¬ 
porting extensively fruit stocks, etc., that formerly had all this stock 
entered and cleared from this port have now the shipments made to 
various seaport- and inland cities, especially Philadelphia, Rochester, 
Chicago, etc., etc. 
I call your attention to this matter believing that with the recent 
appointment of an appraiser, who I understand has the desire to trans¬ 
act the business of this port in a manner alike creditable to the govern¬ 
ment and the citizens—some remedy to the onerous and unbearable 
conditions heretofore prevailing under the previous administration of 
the appraiser’s office may be applied. 
I will only add that in something like a dozen importations the past 
autumn the delay in the cases sent to Public Store was in no instance 
less than three days, and from that to nine and ten days. What this 
delay means to perishable nursery material under the conditions of 
temperature, etc., in the appraiser’s stores you can readily appreciate, 
as can any one in any way familiar with this subject. 
Very respectfully and truly yours, 
(Signed) Fred’k W. Kelsey. 
Customs Service, Office of Collector, ) 
New York. N. Y., February 17, 1902. <j 
Frederick W. Kelsey, Esq., 150 Broadway, Few York: 
Sir—R eferring to your communication of the 29th ultimo, and to 
my reply to you of the 30th ultimo, relative to a return to the former 
method of wharf examination of nursery stock, it gives me pleasure to 
state that the appraiser concurs in the suggestion of this office, and in 
the future wharf examination only will be made. 
Respectfully, 
G. R. Bidwell, Collector. 
CONDITIONS IN IOWA. 
Des Moines, Ia., March 12—S. H. Linton : “The only 
weather condition with bad results was from December 14th 
to 20th. There was a sudden drop in temperature the 14th 
to 14 below, just after a good rain on the 13th, with lowering 
temperature up to the 20th. At our place the thermometer 
stood at 17 at 8 A. M. With a low temperature and a damp 
atmosphere the peach buds were all killed; but with this ex¬ 
ception fruit of all kinds is in good condition and bids fair 
for a good crop. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries 
were cut short by the excessive drouth of last season, though 
the strawberries under the care of the writer made a good 
stand, took on good growth and later in the season made fine 
plants with good roots. 
“Nurseries under my observation that had thorough tillage 
developed good growth and matured exceedingly well, and 
will be in fine condition for the spring trade. 
“ Owing to the universal drouth of last season the demand 
for spring stock is not up to expectation, nor will it compare 
with sales of 1901. Prices throughout the entire list of nur¬ 
sery stock still hold up well, and nurserymen are looking 
forward to better rather than worse conditions for the future. 
Fruit growers are enthused by the high prices and heavy de¬ 
mands for fruit. Apples now bring better prices, retail, than 
do oranges, bananas or lemons. The prosperous, healthy 
conditions of general business places the average consumer in 
position to be able to buy fruit, even at a very high price. 
The nurserymen and fruit growers of Iowa are in mutual re¬ 
lations and interest of both professions, which gives strength 
and progress in the upbuilding of horticulture and pomology 
in this state. Commercial orcharding in Iowa—‘apples, cherries, 
plums, grapes, and all small fruits,—in the right hands are 
being made profitable. The state is able to produce fruits far 
in excess of the home demand, and is fast reaching the stand¬ 
ard of a horticultural state.” 
A. Miller & Son, Milton, Ore.— “ We enclose draft on New York 
for $2 to pay for National Nurseryman for two more years. We 
need it in our business.” 
