THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
259 
REPORT OF JOHN HALL, SECRETARY 
Gentlemen: In rendering a report of my stewardship for 
the past year I make note of the fact that, in accordance with 
instructions of the Association at its last meeting, a card, con¬ 
taining the recommendations of a Special Committee of 
which Mr. J. H. Dayton was chairman, was prepared and a 
copy mailed to each member of the Association. The 
recommendations or suggestions referred to treated upon the 
importance of establishing certain rules relating to the main¬ 
tenance of prices, etc." Doubtless members heeded the 
injunction of Mr. J. W. Hill to “post them on your desk as a 
reminder that you voted for their adoption.’’ 
In further compliance with instructions of last year’s 
meeting, a “separate,’’ containing the papers read at that 
meeting with reference to Crown Gall, was also published. 
These papers bore the following titles, viz.: “Effect of 
Crown Gall upon the Orchard,’’ by Mr. Peter Youngers, 
Geneva, Neb.; and “Root Gall,’’ by Mr. E. A. Smith, Lake 
City, Minn. The edition of a thousand copies, was propor¬ 
tionately divided for distribution by the committee, and the 
Secretary retained a few copies to mail to those who applied 
to him for them. Of these there was quite a number. 
It is always to be regretted that in large organizations of 
such practical value as this there are annually recurring fluc¬ 
tuations in the membership. Over forty of those whose 
names were on last year’s list failed to renew the current year. 
Each one of these delinquents has received from the Secretary 
at least two, and, in some cases, more reminders of the im¬ 
portance of renewing. But there is another and a brighter 
side to the situation. The Secretary early began to surmise 
that there would be a shrinkage, and being somewhat of an 
optimist he is not easily discouraged. Heeding the declara¬ 
tion of Bulwer-Lytton’s Richelieu that “there is no such 
thing as fail,’’ I at once entered upon a vigorous and fairly 
widespread campaign for new material. This has resulted in 
our not only making up the loss referred to but of bringing 
the enrollment for the year to a point over thirty in excess of 
last year’s registration. 
If members have not already made an analysis of the membership 
with reference to representation by localities we commend such a study 
as affording considerable food for thought as well as interest. As an 
illustration I will mention the States having a representation of six or 
more, viz.: 
• Colorado, 6; Connecticut, 6; Illinois, 25; Indiana, 15; Iowa, 12; 
Kansas, 22; Michigan, 20; Missouri, 18; Nebraska, 10; New Jersey, 8; 
New York, 78; Ohio, 28; Oregon, 6; Oklahoma, 6; Pennsylvania, 13: 
Tennessee, 13; Texas, 9. 
I trust that this reference rnay_^aken a new interest among mem¬ 
bers, even to the creating of a friendly rivalry to see which State can next 
year make the largest addition to its representation. 
If members will co-operate with the Secretary there is no reason why 
every nurseryman who ought to belong to the organization cannot be 
induced to join its ranks, and we now invite members to suggest the 
names of individual nurserymen and of firms with whom correspondence 
may be opened. _- 
In our desire to reduce expenses we have this year invited bids for the 
printing of the Badge Book and of the Annual Report. There was a 
difference in figures between the lowest and the next highest of $50, and 
a difference between the lowest and the highest of $146. We believe the 
appearance of the present issue of the Badge Book justifies the 
experiment. 
DECEASED 
Prosper J. Berckmans passed away on Nov. 8, 1910, in his 8ist year. 
He was long identified with this Association, and those who knew him 
best will heartily endorse the comment of the Florists' Exchange, viz.: 
“Mr. Berckmans was endowed with a graceful, commanding figure, and 
a charming personality. His death will be generally regretted in horti¬ 
cultural circles.” 
In the removal of Samuel C. Moon this organization has lost another 
valued associate. Mr. Moon died in January last, in the 57th year of 
his age. The National Nurseryman thus referred to him: “A 
refined, cultured gentleman, a true plant lover, his loss to nurseiy-grow- 
ing intersets is heavy.” 
James M. Kennedy died Sept. 6, at Dansville, N. Y., aged 49. 
Though not a member with us at the time of his death, Mr. Kennedy 
formerly held membership in this Association. 
It seems not unfitting that we should mention the fact of the death 
of several others who had died during the year, and who, though not 
officially identified with this Association, nevertheless claim passing 
recognition because of their prominence in the horticultural world: 
Robert Buist, the well-known seedsman of Philadelphia, died Dec. 
15, 1910, in his 73d year. The father of Mr. Buist came to this country 
from Scotland, and was reputed to be the first florist and nurseryman in 
the Quaker City. Mr. Thomas Meehan, writing of Mr. Buist’s death, 
says: “Horticulture does not yet know the full value of the friend it has 
lost.” 
J. H. Reynolds, the oldest nurseryman in the State of Michigan, and 
pioneer of Monroe, died July 21, 1910, in that town, at the age of 91 
years. 
Mr. Thomas C. Wilson, of Brighton, N. Y., was killed on the tracks 
of the New York Central Railroad almost within sight of the home in 
which he lived. He came to Brighton 78 years ago, when he was but 
five years old. Mr. Wilson was one of the first to engage in the nursery 
business in that section. 
Nor can we refrain from mentioning the death of Jean Soupert, a 
well-known rosarian, who died July 16,1910, at the age of 76 years. The 
names of Jean Soupert, and that of his brother-in-law and partner, 
Pierre Netting, who died in 1895, will long remain fragrant as the beauti¬ 
ful roses which bear their respective names. 
Perhaps one of the saddest of sad events of the year was associated 
with the death of Mr. F. Haussman, one of the largest nurserymen in 
Los Angeles, Cal., which occurred March 9 last, at the age of 56 years. 
He left a widow, one son and one daughter. Fourteen days after the 
death of Mr. Haussman, the son, described as a quiet, industrious boy, 
only 20 years old, was so grieved at the death of his father, that he crept 
under the propagating bench in the greenhouse and shot himself in the 
head. 
SECRETARY’S FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
Dec. 14, 1910, to June 3, 1911 
1910 
Dec. 14, Balance after closing last year’s account as read at 
the annual meeting r. $ 233. 65 
1911 
June 3, From Memberships. 1850.00 
“ Advts. 662.00 
“ Extra Badges. 25.50 
“ Sales of Codes. .30 
■ $2771.85 
1910 
Dec. 14, Cash to C. L. Yates, Treas. $233.65 
1911 
June 3, Cash to C. L. Yates, Treas. 2500.00 
“ in Union Trust Bank. 38-20 
- $2771.85 
Note—T his amount will be increased by several bills yet unpaid, 
and by new memberships received since June 3. 
