THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
275 
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Do you know of a machine used in the Nursery Trade 
for the counting and tying of trees? 
This is one of the processes entering into the grading 
of trees, and I find that it is taking a great deal of time. 
I can see no reason why it could not be done automat¬ 
ically. If you can give me any information on the sub¬ 
ject it will be highly appreciated. D. II. 
No. Do any of our readers know of such a machine? 
Q. I want information in regard to the proper treat¬ 
ment of soil in seed beds to eliminate the growth of weeds. 
Can the soil he inoculated with a formula that will 
destroy weed seeds and not injure the tree seeds? Is 
there any spraying mixture that would kill the weeds 
and not injure the little seedlings? D. H. 
A. There is no Royal Road to keep seed beds free 
from the growth of weeds, at least we have not had prac¬ 
tical experience in any. 
Suggestions such as steaming soil or heating it so as 
to kill the weed seeds and funguous disease are some¬ 
times recommended but the remedy is almost as bad as 
the disease and is usually very costly. There is no 
chemical that can be used that will kill the weeds and not 
injure other plants. If a chemical would do this it 
would almost have to have human intelligence to deter¬ 
mine between the weed and the plant, which you know 
is impossible. Numerous remedies are advertised for 
killing dandelions in lawns and weeds in drives. The 
latter is effective, but the former not, at least not to any 
great extent. We have seen experiments worked with 
it but they were not very successful, and really do not 
amount to as much as hand work. 
Q. “Will you kindly tell us if it would be advisable to 
keep greenwood cuttings in a propagation bench called 
“Sweatbox” by this we mean to keep the sashes closed 
day and night? 
What is the best to stop fungus in the greenhouse? 
You can undoubtedly help us out and give us the in¬ 
formation above, which we assure you will be greatly 
appreciated.” D. H. 
A. It is immaterial whether cuttings are in an en¬ 
closed sweatbox, if the proper degree of heat and mois¬ 
ture can be maintained for the kind of cuttings that are 
being propagated. If the sweatbox is kept closed there 
is great danger of too much condensation of moisture, 
with the result that it will breed fungous disease, which 
results in damping off. However, if the correct amount 
of moisture and heat can be maintained, it can be kept 
closed. 
The best propagators, however, do not depend on any 
rules as the only possible way to know just what are 
the correct conditions to make a successful strike are 
found by experience. 
Giving air is really the method of controlling the heat 
and moisture, and is very essential in most instances. 
There are times especially in early spring when the 
sweat box can be left closed and conditions will keep 
just about right but no general rule can be given. 
I judge from your next question “What is the best to 
stop fungus in the greenhouse?” that you have been 
keeping your houses too close and not giving air enough. 
Sun and air is the very best remedy. Formalin 1 to 50, 
used at the rate of two quarts to a square foot of soil is 
recommended as a remedy, but we think you will find 
the better way is to thoroughly clean your houses and 
properly air them, which will reduce the fungus to a 
minimum. 
A NEW FIRM 
In our advertising pages is an announcement to the 
trade that a new nursery is being started at Princeton, 
N. J., under the name of the Princeton Nurseries. Wil¬ 
liam F. Flemer, Springfield, N. J.. John Watson, Newark, 
N. Y., and William Flemer, Jr., Springfield, N. J., form¬ 
ing the company. Mr. Watson and Mr. Flemer, Jr., will 
devote their time to the new venture. 
Their superintendent is Mr. Frank L. Waterhouse, who 
was formerly with Mr. Watson at Newark. 
The location has been very carefully selected on ac¬ 
count of the soil and climate. This combined with the 
personnel of the enterprise bespeaks its success. 
MEEIIAN VERSUS INGALLS 
The Supreme Court of the State of Washington decided 
in favor of Thomas Meehan & Sons in a suit to recover 
payment for crab and pear seed. 
The defendant or buyer counter claimed damages on 
the ground that the seed although properly planted failed 
to germinate. 
The trial jury returned a verdict in favor of the de¬ 
fendant, but the supreme court reversed the judgment on 
appeal, and entered judgment in plaintiff’s favor. 
While the seeds were sold under a guarantee that they 
would be of the “usual first class germinating quality 
that we had furnished in the past” and the letter head 
contained the usual disclaimer: 
“While we try to procure the best seed on the market, 
we give no guaranty, either expressed or implied. Sam¬ 
ples will always be furnished when applied for. If the 
seeds are not accepted on these terms, we must be noti¬ 
fied at once. If they are kept it will be taken as proof 
that they are satisfactory.” 
The verdict seems to have been rendered on the evi¬ 
dence that the seed was tested before being sold and that 
the defendant had not handled them right. 
On receipt of the shipment, the seeds were placed in a 
creek, where they soaked for about a week, after which 
they were placed in an ice-pack for several weeks. Re- 
fore the plaintiff made the shipment, the seeds were given 
the usual test to determine their character, and this test 
showed that they were good and would germinate. On 
the other hand, the only evidence offered by defendant to 
show that the seeds were not good was the fact that they 
were planted in good soil in the usual manner, hut did not 
grow. 
An expert testified that two days at the longest was the 
time required for wetting seeds, and that if they are 
