THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
187 
Quiz Column 
Editor National Nurseryman: 
SWEET POTATO PLANTER 
I need a machine operated by horse power that will set 
out sweet potato slips. 
Please let me have full information at once if you know 
anything about such a machine. I thank you. 
Respectfully, 
Texas. R. C. Dycus. 
ANSWER BY HORACE ROBERTS, NEW JERSEY 
I have had Barton Brothers, of Marlton, N. J., plant my 
sweet potato plants with their plant setter. It opens the 
furrow, makes the row, waters the plant, and presses it 
tight. Two little boys sit on behind to put the plants in 
place. It does especially well on large plants. They use 
the same machine for strawberries, tomatoes, cabbages, etc. 
There are hand machines for putting in sweet potatoes in 
South Jersey. With one of these a man will put in plants 
as fast as two bo3^s will drop them. For further informa¬ 
tion I would refer thee to Barton Bros., Marlton, N. J. 
STORAGE CELLARS 
One question I would like to ask: Would you consider 
it advisable to construct a storage cellar of hollow terra 
cotta tile? Have any nurserymen used this material so 
far as you know, and, if so, with what results? 
Yours truly, 
C. W. Atwater. 
ANSWERS 
There is no doubt that the hollow tile type of building- 
material plastered inside and out would give you a very 
satisfactory form of construction for a storage cellar in 
Connecticut. The architect would?undoubtedly look to 
the necessary" reenforcing of this form of wall. Whether 
the hollow tile would be preferable to concrete construc¬ 
tion is a matter which you would have to settle on the basis 
of expense. The concrete form is probably mo re" durable, 
and should in every other way be just as efficient as tile. 
It is probable that the concrete is in more general favor, 
and the more universally used of the two types. Messrs. 
Chase Brothers Company of Rochester have an excellent 
concrete storehouse, and could probably give you valuable 
information on the expense of this type of construction. 
’ Editor. 
National Nurseryman: 
Enclosed please find check for subscription to the National 
Nurseryman. 
We are having a fine trade and could not do without your 
valuable paper. Yours for success, 
Ohio. West Bros. 
National Nurseryman: 
Inclosed please find $r.oo for renewal to your excellent journal. 
With best wishes for your prosperity. 
Texas W. A. Yates. 
AN EXPERIENCE WITH PEACH ROOT GALL 
There is no desire to express an opinion about the 
manner in which root knot on peach is extended. In 
Kentucky we are practically exempt and prior to 1885 or 
thereabouts I had never seep one. About that time the 
Southern peach industry sprang up and buds of five 
varieties originating there were secured from a southern 
nurseryman of the highest standing, wishing to prove their 
value there. The buds looked well and made fine growth. 
We were surprised to find quite a number afflicted with this 
knot. 
These trees did well in a trial orchard. In subsequent 
propagations they reoccurred, but in decreasing proportion. 
There was no tendency to spread to kinds immune. In 
the course of time these also became immune. In 1902 
our peaches were planted on ground previously occupied for 
some years by red and black raspberries, both being some¬ 
what afflicted with root knot. That crop of trees was the 
poorest ever, both in growth and prevalence of root knot. 
It is needless to say that such land was never again used 
for anything predisposed to this affliction. 
There is no wish to formulate a theory but only to 
marshall the facts. The southern buds had within them¬ 
selves the germs of root knot. If the virus were in the 
wood why did it not extend to the entire system, the seed 
of course included? Mr. Hood is right in the opinion that 
pits from trees affected continue the affliction. It is clear 
that the germ of this parasitic growth may be contained in 
the seed, just as it is in the scion. It also seems that it 
may pass from one host to another, not by direct inocula¬ 
tion or inherency but by soil contact making three ways of 
contamination. Our ability to get rid of this trouble by 
the use of clean good land and use of virile seed and scions, 
in so far as they may be so adjudged, demonstrates that it is 
up to nurserymen to keep an eye picked on these three 
propositions. May it also be added that we have more 
abiding faith in the quality of the land than anything else, 
for the reason that in the animal world good feed and care 
give immunity and ability to shake off many of those 
pestilent things that are parasites on the weaklings and 
starvelings of both kingdoms of life. 
Respectfully yours, 
H. F. Hillenmeyer. 
THE SAMUEL C. MOON NURSERY 
Morrisville, Pa. The recent demise of Samuel C. Moon will, 
it is understood, lead to the breaking up of the business so long 
conducted by that gentleman. The nursery will hereafter be 
conducted under the same title as before, with Wm. M. McClossy, 
agent, in charge, and it is Mr. McClossy’s intention to close out the 
entire business by or before June 30, 1913. This nursery, which 
was established in 1848, contains many rare specimens and choice! 
trees and shrubs not found elsewhere, and it is hoped its numerous 
customers of the past, as well as others, may avail themselves of 
this closing out opportunity to obtain some bargains in ornamenta 
nursery stock.— Florists' Exchange. 
Advertising is the lubricant that makes business run swiftly 
and without friction. A trial will convince the most pronounced 
skeptic. 
