8 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
cannot compare with our American orchards. Also I feel 
sure that our varieties are 50 years ahead of the French 
varieties. There seems not to be in France the desire for 
improvement that is always apparent not only among 
American nurserymen and orchardists, but in all lines of 
endeavor this side of the Atlantic. 
In conclusion please remember this one thing—(for¬ 
getting my subject for the minute)—and it is this: There 
is just one God’s country in the world, and that is Amer¬ 
ica! All the other countries have their good points and 
their bad points but there are more good points and fewer 
bad points to contend with in America than anywhere in 
the world. Don’t ever let anybody try to convince you to 
the contrary. 
A NEW DAY FOR THE NURSERY RUSINESS 
By McKay Nursery Company, L. J. Tucker, Sec.-Treas., 
Madison, Wis. 
Such a splendid article as the one by Mr. George Par¬ 
ker, Fayetteville, Arkansas, published in October issue of 
Nursery Trade bulletin furnishes food for reflection, 
before we can hope to secure the maximum benefits from 
advertising, our houses must be set in order. The Amer¬ 
ican Association of Nurserymen should consist of mem¬ 
bers that stand for distribution of high class stock. Mem¬ 
bers should have an intelligent understanding of grades 
and quality. We regret to say that we have seen many 
trees, shrubs, etc., distributed by members of our Asso¬ 
ciation that should be on the brush pile. It is evident 
that some of the members need educating along these 
lines, and if they cannot be educated to grow, grade, and 
pack properly then they do not belong in the American 
Association of Nurserymen for if allowed to remain they 
will only bring disrepute on the Association. A member¬ 
ship must mean all that should be implied—a square 
deal, good stock of the grade and age specified and prop¬ 
erly handled. 
Gan we ask the planter to have faith in all members of 
our Association today? How many nurserymen when 
purchasing nursery stock consider whether the seller is 
a member ol the American Assocation of Nurserymen or 
not?/ Why on earth should they consider this, when he 
knows be is just as liable to receive stock poorly graded 
and packed from a member as from a non-member. No 
member should be allowed to violate all rules and prin¬ 
ciples of business, such as selling stock early in the sea¬ 
son, and if prices go down your order is filled complete, 
but if prices happen to advance, your order is packed 
short and by so doing drags off a few dishonest dollars, if 
he succeeds in his intentions. This of course does not 
a PPly 1° all cases, sometimes he over sells by mistake; 
however, nurserymen dealing square and above board 
<uo careful what they agree to do and this type as a rule 
fulfill their contracts. There is also a tendency amoim 
some Nurserymen to grade carelessly when stock is high 
p 1 i< ed, very often the grade is not so good as when stock 
onl .y worth one half as much. Such procedure is en- 
h’Tfy wrong. The value should not and does not enter 
into the grade, and until grades and quality can be de¬ 
pended upon, there would be no use to have shipments 
carry a blue tag as suggested by Mr. Parker. 
The dues of one-fourth per cent on volume of sales is 
no small item; however, if we build up an organization 
composed of Nurserymen that stand for quality and 
square dealing, we will then have an Association that can 
put on an advertising campaign as to what its members 
can and will do when selling to the planter. It is true 
such advertising whether along the lines of general pub¬ 
licity or in advertising the Association will benefit the 
fellow on the outside, but the public (Mr. Planter) will 
soon learn where dependable stock can be secured and 
then the fellow who hasn’t seen the advantages of the 
American Association will be knocking at our door for 
admittance. Right here a thorough investigation should 
be made of the applicant’s business methods, etc., and 
if found worthy admit him. If not worthy refuse him a 
membership until he can come up to the requirements. 
First of all our Association must be deeply concerned as 
to its quality of members—weed out those who cannot 
stand the test and then when the quality can be banked 
upon, advertising of the Association can begin and be 
kept up under a full head of steam. No organization can 
be advertised into prominence unless back of the name is 
something upon which the public can depend, and this 
something is number one strictly first class nursery stock 
always up to grade and quality specified. This is the 
foundation upon which a permanent and lasting struc¬ 
ture can be built, and if so built the American Associa¬ 
tion of Nurserymen will grow and prosper. 
With all due respect to our able Vigilance Committee 
permit us to suggest that some of the money which will 
be spent for advertising be used in paying for one or two 
assistants to our Executive Secretary. Their duties 
would be to call on Nurserymen, both members and pros¬ 
pective members, investigate their business methods, etc. 
These assistants would also be available to assist the Ad- 
justment Committee in any matters that might come up. 
Further with worthy Nurserymen they could present our 
claims to them relative to a membership in our Associa¬ 
tion. Such a policy would make available and place in 
the hands of our officers valuable information upon 
which prompt action could be taken. 
We are not losing faith in our brother Nurserymen, for 
very often we think some of the practices referred to are 
caused from poor methods and sheer carelessness. The 
work of the American Association of Nurserymen and 
experience of years which it has had should and we be¬ 
lieve it does, give competency for the responsibilities now 
before it. 
It is along these lines that we see a new day in the 
Nursery business, and as the day dawns we can take up 
as our slogan “Ruy your Nursery Stock from a member of 
the American Association of Nurserymen for the stock 
furnished must be and will be right.” 
Miss Elizabeth Pitkin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James 
Moore Pitkin, Newark, N. Y., was married December 
15th, 1919 to Mr. George Rhoades Van Duser. 
The National Nurseryman joins with the many friends 
of Mr. and Mrs. Pitkin in wishing the bride and groom 
long life and happiness. 
