THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
139 
INTERESTING PAPERS AT TENNESSEE NURSERYMEN’S 
ASSOCIATION 
We have already called attention to the valuable paper 
presented by Pres. W. P. Stark at the above meeting, and 
we give a summary of other interesting addresses on that 
grow nursery stock, and with the splendid railroad facilities 
which it afforded, it was conceded by all that at least one 
year in growth of the apple tree would be saved by growing 
in a Southern State. Mr. Miller said that no other proof 
was necessary to answer the question than the present num¬ 
ber of nurseries in Tennessee, which is 242. 
occasion, as follows: 
“Cold Storage Nursery Stock” was discussed by R. C. 
Chase of Huntsville, Ala. Mr. Chase said the practice which 
they had found to work most successful!}'' was to pack the 
trees in paper lined boxes and put them in cold storage, the 
temperature of which was kept as near 34 degrees Fahrenheit 
as possible. He said that cold storage should be as good as 
“heeling out” trees. They had found it of the "greatest 
advantage and recommended its use to the members of the 
Association. Following in discussion, Mr. 
W. P. Stark, Louisiana, Mo., said that cold 
storage for nursery stock is as necessary 
as for fruit. It made it possible to do con¬ 
tinuous shipping from October to May. 
They have had a considerable experience 
and in all cases stock had come out in good 
shape. S. W. Crowell, Roseacres, Miss., 
said that with roses they had found cold 
storage a very important feature in their 
work. 
“Co-operation and Organization” was 
the next topic. This was discussed in a 
most tactful and interesting manner by 
Percy Brown. He spoke of the value that 
organization had meant to the live stock 
breeders, foresters, sheep growers and the 
horticulturists and nurserymen. He 
outlined briefly the history of the nursery¬ 
men’s organization which began with 
fourteen members six years ago, and by 
close co-operation had resulted in an 
active and large organization , which was 
accomplishing great things for the nursery 
and fruit interests in the State. He spoke 
enthusiastically regarding the future of the organization, 
stating that the bee-keepers of the State wanted to 
co-operate and meet annually with the Association, 
extending the Convention to a three days’ rather than 
two days’ session. He said that the organization should 
unite their efforts to get a larger appropriation, so 
that the present duties of the State Entomologist 
and Plant Pathologist could be continued and further 
important investigation could be taken up. Under 
this head, he placed a great importance upon the inspection 
of the orchards of the State, biological survey of the State, 
and orchard demonstrations. He said the first thing that 
was important was the education and this could best be 
advanced by publishing the proceedings of these meetings. 
He suggested that a quarterly publication be undertaken by 
the organization of the Annual Conventions, the succeeding 
issues be devoted to the fruit, nursery, floral, truck growers, 
and bee-keepers’ interests. He. suggested that a page or 
more be devoted to questions. Following Mr. Brown’s talk, 
discussions were entered into and questions asked; all mem¬ 
bers being very much interested in the sentiment of Mr. 
Brown’s talk. J. L. Jones moved that a committee of three, 
with Percy Brown as chairman, be appointed by the Presi¬ 
dent ; this committee to thoroughly investigate the matter 
of an association quarterly. This motion was seconded 
and unanimously carried. 
“Tennessee as a Nursery State” was the subject of a talk 
given by J. Marvin Miller, and enthusiastically discussed by 
several members of the association. It was agreed by all 
that Tennessee is an exceptionally good State in which to 
PRESIDENT W. P. STARK BEFORE THE TENNESSEE 
NURSERYMEN’S ASSOCIATION ON COMMERCIAL 
ORCHARDING 
COMMERCIAL APPLE GROWING FROM THE NURSERY¬ 
MAN’S STANDPOINT 
Commercial apple growing depends on many conditions 
within our control, as well as upon 
land and climate. Tennessee’s . great 
opportunity is at hand today as never 
before. The “Backto the Soil” movement 
is drawing a steady stream of the cities’ 
men and women as well as the cities’ gold 
to the favored producing sections of the 
country. Only a few years ago there was 
a mad rush to the city, a greed for the city 
life, but time has brought a readjustment, 
the people are anxious to return to 
nature, and to such people no country 
appeals more strongly than the mountains 
and valleys of the more tempered regions 
of the South. 
Every agricultural section has had its 
share of this new development, but the 
South, because of its great set-back a half 
century ago and the following period of 
inactivity, now offers the greatest oppor¬ 
tunities to the incoming settler, as well as 
to the native bom. A wonderful store of opportunities 
have been allowed to lie dormant for lack of capital and 
men with the interest to develop it. 
Tennessee is peculiarly and favorably situated as to soil 
and climate, and great as your fruit growing interests are, 
the industry is in its infancy. The apples of Tennessee were 
renowned in the days of Andrew Jackson, in the days of the 
stage coach, because wherever the pioneers went, they car¬ 
ried with them fruit trees and seeds. 
Missouri horticulture is indebted to the pioneers of 
Tennessee and Kentucky for a first start in fruit growing. 
Personally, I speak advisedly and I may say with pardon¬ 
able pride, my two grandfathers were Missouri pioneers 
going from Kentucky and Tennessee after fighting with 
Jackson in the New Orleans campaign. 
Great as has been the success of Tennessee today, yet 
greater is the future in store. You have just made a begin¬ 
ning. Unfortunately the time was when the average 
farmer thought there was nothing to do but plant the trees, 
and let nature do the rest. In days gone by nature was 
generous, but conditions have changed, and success comes 
to him who not only plants but sprays, cultivates, and keeps 
in touch with the scientific arid practical organizations of 
the State, and profits from the experience of other successful 
fruit growers. The slipshod method must go and the man 
PROP. A. I. SMITH 
Vice-President for Eastern Tennessee 
of the Tennessee State Nur¬ 
serymen's Association 
