THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
50 
roots. It is immaterial whether the knots arc caused by 
aphids or othenvise. Galled roots are generally not mer¬ 
chantable and further they must be rejected by the rules of 
the Association of Official Horticultural Inspectors of the 
United States. Galled roots cannot all be detected by 
inspectors on growing nursery stock, therefore, the nursery¬ 
men must reject them when dug. 
Blister Rust 
5. Recent investigations indicate the necessity for radical 
control of the white pine blister rust (see Horticultural Bul¬ 
letin No. 2). All persons are advised not to grow or bring 
into the state any plants of black currants. No currants of 
any kind should be grown within 300 yards of the five leaf 
pines and if so growing they should be separated as soon as 
possible. 
Postal Regulations 
6. The regulations of the Postmaster-General to the effect 
that no nursery stock can be sent through the mails unless 
accompanied by a certificate of inspection are so general as 
to include bulbs, roots and florists’ products. The latter 
items have not been regarded as nursery stock under Section 
305 of the Agricultural Law. It may be necessary to have 
our inspection law amended to give authority for inspection 
and certification of the large amount of this kind of matter 
sent by mail by florists, seedsmen, and others. 
Potato Wart Disease 
7. As nurserymen are at times potato growers we ask that 
they notify us of cases where imported potatoes have been 
used for planting. Attention is called to our Bulletin No. 41 
on the European Potato Wart Disease. 
Chestnut Bark Diseases 
8. It is strongly advised that no chestnut (Castanea) trees 
or plants be purchased or brought into uninfested areas 
of the state from any point where the chestnut bark disease 
is established. 
Conclusion 
I deem some of the above subjects of so much importance 
to the nursery business that I ask if our regulations should 
be modified or made more strict and we shall be glad of your 
suggestions for the improvement of our service. 
THE STUDY OF BOTANY 
Although this is my first attempt to accomplish any 
literary task, I am consoled by the anticipation of being 
duly pardoned for these unpolished lines, which are no 
doubt deficient of eloquence and probably inefficient from 
a grammatical point of view, on the grounds of inexperience. 
However, the subject. It is not my intention to take upon 
my shoulders the responsibilities of a tutor, but simply to 
advocate what at present I consider a desirable study for 
gardeners. Botany should, in my opinion, be studied by 
young gardeners who have aspirations to succeed, and as 
there are few who do not possess some ambition, this practic¬ 
ally applies to all. I am sorry to say that during my own 
short experience I have met with comparatively few who 
have any notion whatever of the cla.ssification of plants, and 
I venture to say some confess total ignorance regarding 
the knowledge of the essential parts of a plant, i.e., the 
andraccium (stamens) and the gynaecium (pistil), but simply 
distinguish plants one from the other by the characters 
which are obvious. 
Doubtless many intelligent young gardeners maintain 
that it does not constitute any part of their profession, and 
strengthen their argument by the fact that many head 
gardeners of to-day are unacquainted with it; but apart 
from this, and looking at it from a “pa.stime” point of view, 
one could not wish for a more instructive and interesting 
study, besides incurring little expense. Even an elementary 
knowledge of the subject may lead one to spend many happy 
hours indoors in winter, and be a source of increasing pleasure 
and interest during summer rambles, when instead of heed¬ 
lessly trampling down “Nature’s angels,’’ you will feel the 
greatest anxiety for their safety. It is generally admitted 
that scientific gardening is becoming more prevalent each 
year, and whatever the gardening of the past may have been, 
I am firmly convinced that the men of the future must be 
proficient in a combination of both theory and practice. 
Although a man may be a skilful gardener without possess¬ 
ing any knowledge of botany, we must bear in mind that 
education advances with the times. When had we better 
opportunities of improvemerit than the present day ? Some¬ 
times I think of the botany classes of our education centres, 
and then wonder at the feeble response gardeners give to 
such an encouragement. Botany is progressing rapidly, and 
those who will devote time to the study will notice how the 
interchange of ideas which faculty of intercourse with it 
gives, is surely tending to raise the standard of a gardener’s 
intelligence, and therefore render him more fitted for the 
higher duties when he is called upon in later life to perfonn 
such. 
However much practice is commended, horticultural 
knowledge will remain in its infancy if gardeners possess no 
higher attainments than merely being able to name jilants 
and do not study the principles upon which the success of 
practice depends. By elevating the mind it will, to quote 
the words of an eminent gardener, “create keen powers of 
observation, which, by exercising powers of adaptability, 
will make a man successful in any environment.’’ Besides 
this, there is something so pleasmg in it apart from its 
utility that I strongly recommend it to young men, who by 
perseverence wil) themselves become masters, and then 
thank botany for giving them a finn foundation to success. 
—L. W. Young, in Journal of Horticulture. 
GOOD WISHES FROM A NEW NURSERY CO. 
The National Nurseryman, 
Rochester, N. Y. 
Gentlemen: 
Find cheque enclosed for one year’s .subscription begin¬ 
ning with the January number. We are new in the nursery 
world but the infant is doing well and bids fair to become 
a very sturdy member of the large and prosjierous family. 
Our best wishes to you, and all brother nurserymen, for 
a happy and prosjDerous new year, and we want you all to 
