THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
lOI 
Uraneportation 
WESTERN MOVEMENT TO ADVANCE FREIGHT RATES 
Ed. National Nurseryman; 
A subject of vast importance to nurserymen is that of 
transportation. There is a general movement on foot for 
an increase of freight rates on many commodities. The 
, railways in the state of Minnesota served notice last fall on 
the state Railway and Warehouse Commission that freight 
rates on nursery stock would be increased, and it was their 
desire to have the same take immediate effect. The Rail- 
i way and Warehouse Commission sent out notices to various 
nurserymen in the state. A committee appointed by these 
i nurserymen appeared at a stated hearing and secured a 
^ postponement of any change in rates until after the spring 
^ delivery, basing their argument upon the fact that a large 
j percentage of their output had already been sold on present 
> basis of freight rates, therefore, it would be unfair and work a 
hardship to nurserymen if change be made before the spring 
*: delivery. 
^ In February the committee appointed by the nursery¬ 
men, together with representatives of the various railways, 
1 appeared before the Railway Commission of the state of 
Minnesota at a final hearing. It is generally understood 
% there will be a change in freight rates taking effect in this 
- state about June first, 1911. But the movement is perhaps 
: ^ farther reaching than the state of Minnesota alone, for it 
' *T may be taken up in other states in which case a general 
' ; increase may be effected from east to west. This is a mat¬ 
ter in which the National Association should interest itself 
2' thru its executive committee or committees upon 
- transportation the matter should be carried before the Inter- 
^ State Commission, if this has not already been done. With¬ 
out question there is no commodity which benefits and 
^ makes more attractive the country thru which the railways 
■ .e pass, than does nursery stock of all kinds. We contend 
1 ; I that in the Western Classifications No. 49, effective Novem- 
j, ber ist, 1910, all nursery stock which takes double first class 
I, rates is out of proportion and is excessively high, and that 
" t this double first class rate should be removed, and the classi- 
> fication lowered on various nursery items. 
i| ‘ Will you, thru the columns of your valuable paper 
, ; either publish this letter or an article in which the attention 
of nurserymen generally can be called to the importance of 
this matter? Whatever is done should be done immediately. 
;! The Jewell Nursery Co., 
■ J E. A. Smith, Vice-President. 
I * 
^ ^ TIMELY INFORMATION 
ii 
; ' The editorial office of The National Nurseryman is in 
\ . receipt of a pamphlet entitled “Modern Methods of Har- 
■ vesting. Grading and Packing Apples," issued by the B. G. 
j . Pratt Co., 50 Church St., New York City. This is composed 
; of two illustrated articles on the subject quoted from the 
' September, 1910, numbers of The Fruit Grower, and Better 
Fruit, and is presented with the idea of supplying to some 
, extent the demand for information along this line. 
II 
GOOD FEELING AMONG FRUIT GROWERS 
A. P. Bateman, Hosier, Ore. 
The brightest sign of the time that I see for the fruit¬ 
growers of the Pacific Northwest is the increasing friendli¬ 
ness that comes from better acquaintance. The former 
feeling of bigotry, mistrust, and bitter antagonism between 
different organizations and districts is disappearing rapidly 
and with it will go much of costly competition. Foremost 
in this home missionary work, because of its interstate 
character, is the Spokane National Apple Show. 
Great as is the gain to exhibitors from the publicity 
obtained through it, I think a far greater good to the grow¬ 
ers will result from the “get-together" spirit, which in¬ 
evitably follows this intimate acquaintance of the show, and 
the friendly rivalry or emulation as to which can show the 
most marked improvement in product or packing. 
The comparison of products and work from all sections 
makes for a liberal education and sends every visitor to the 
show back to his home with higher respect for all others. 
At this convenient railroad center, the growers of Oregon, 
Washington, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia come 
with immense displays of their apples, put up in the best 
styles. I do not believe that the remarkable advance in 
excellence, noted these last three years, could have been 
reached in double the time through any other agency. 
The standardizing of pack and packages, which has 
already been accomplished, is of inestimable value to the 
trade as a whole and is an index to what may be achieved in 
the near future when the growers, through their local fruit 
unions, cordially unite in systematic methods of marketing. 
The apples from all districts of these five states must meet 
in the same markets. Why should not we growers meet 
beforehand and harmoniously plan the campaign ? 
You have already been told that definite steps were 
taken at Spokane to inaugurate this movement and doubt¬ 
less you will soon hear much more about this live topic. 
What I say today is merely to add what emphasis I can to 
its importance and bespeak the most careful and broad¬ 
minded consideration of any and all proposals that may be 
advanced in seeking a solution of this problem. 
UNIVERSAL NURSERIES 
Frank J. Conboy, T. J. Buckley, and Thomas J. Bolger, 
all of Geneva, N. Y., are directors of the recently incor¬ 
porated Universal Nurseries. The capital stock is $5,000. 
UTAH CHEERFUL 
Ed. National Nurseryman: 
I have just received this month’s issue. It is full of 
interest. Utah is experiencing mild weather so far this 
winter, zero being reached but once and 4° below the limit. 
Sales are well up to the standard for this season with apple 
in strong demand. Prices range better than last year. 
Jonathan still leads with Winesap next in demand, Rome 
Beauty close up. 
B. H. Bower, 
Provo, Utah. 
