THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
367 
represent the best interests of the trade over the country at 
large. The policy will be broad, national in scope, rather 
than local, practical, helpful and sincere. 
It will aim to be a mouth-piece of the trade, rather than 
an advocate of special interests or locality. 
Our profession is second to none in importance as the 
trees and forests of the country are recognized as one of the 
primary causes that make it inhabitable. While it is true 
the forests were here before the nurseryman, it is equally 
true, our cities, towns and villages would be dreary places 
without the nurseryman, to say nothing of the fruit supply 
which forms such an important part of the food supply. 
The nurseryman is a benefactor to the human race and 
while he may labor primarily for his food and clothing “The 
laborer is worthy of his hire” so the food and clothing should 
be good. 
The National Nurseryman, therefore, stands for better 
prices for better stock. Standardization of nursery stock 
to bring it level with other commercial products. Better and 
higher training for the young nurseryman and a full share in 
the prosperity of the country. With these ideals to inspire 
the National Nurseryman, under the new management 
with the assistance of its readers, will be a power in harmoniz¬ 
ing and unifying the interest of the trade for its common good. 
Ernest Hemming. 
Some time since, when the Legislative 
Committee of the American Association 
of Nurserymen appeared before the 
Agricultural Committee of the House to 
protest against the Federal Inspection 
Bill, Chairman William Pitkin of the 
Nurserymen’s Committee made a statement to the effect that 
the nurserymen did not object to inspection, but they 
objected to the proposed bill, because it put such broad 
powers into the hands of those who would have the carrying 
out of the provisions of the bill and that it was the fear of the 
promulgation of drastic rules and regulations as much as 
anything else, that caused the opposition of the Nurserymen 
to the bill. 
The bill, which became a law in August, contains a clause 
which was inserted to satisfy the nurserymen on this point, 
viz.: the appointment of a Federal Horticultural Board whose 
duty it shall be to formulate rules and regulations for the 
carrying out of the law and to provide for hearing of parties 
interested before putting quarantine regulations into effect. 
The gentlemen selected by Secretary Wilson to act on 
the board are men who we believe will honestly carry out the 
Iirovisions of the law according to their best judgment, but it 
is unfortunate, that there is not one member of the Board who 
has had some practical knowledge of the nursery business, 
gained from actual experience as a nurseryman. The Board 
has prepared a tentative set of rules and regulations and they 
show their earnest desire to avoid anything drastic by sending 
out advance proofs of these rules and regulations to various 
nurserymen for suggestions and criticisms, and they will no 
doubt be guided largely by the replies which they receive. 
In their present fonn these rules and regulations fully 
warranted the statement of Chairman Pitkin, that the nur¬ 
serymen feared the method of carrying out the bill, for if the 
proposed regulations should be adopted in their present form 
it would cause no end of delay, confusion and loss when the 
imported stock commenced to move from the other side. 
The Federal Horticultural Board will have many import¬ 
ant matters to consider, but the most important work they 
will have to' do will be the formulating of such rules and 
regulations which will carry out the intent of the law, but at 
the same time be capable of execution without working injury 
to one of the most important and necessary branches of the 
nursery business of the United States. - 
Note —The rules and regulations have been modified since this was 
written. See Report of Legislative Committee, page 370. 
PROFESSOR JOHN CRAIG 
Prof. Craig took a lively interest in the Western New 
York Horticultural Society, and always responded promptly 
and gladly to every invitation that the officers of the Society 
extended to him, to participate in the proceedings. He was 
greatly esteemed by the members of the Society, and his 
addresses were not only highly instructive, but they were 
inspiring and entertaining. Every one who listened to him 
went away feeling better for having heard him. He has left 
behind him a record of a beautiful, useful and busy life, and 
his memory will be cherished by thousands of Horticulturists 
all over the country who have benefited by his teachings. 
In his death I feel a personal loss, and I extend to his 
bereaved family my sincerest sympathy, with that of hun¬ 
dreds of other members of the Western New York Horticul¬ 
tural Society. W. C. Barry, 
Pres. Western N. Y. Horticultural Society. 
IN' REGARD TO ESTABLISHING PERMANENT 
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE IN 
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION 
Every nurseryman in the country is aware of the fact that 
numerous railway claims result from improper handling by 
the railway company of stock in transit, either through delay, 
neglect or exposure. The average nurseryman is not 
equipped with facilities for presenting and prosecuting these 
•claims in the most effective manner. Claims are frequently 
dismissed which, if presented properly, could be collected. 
Not one nurseryman in ten is capable of checking over his 
freight receipts to know if there is any overcharge and how 
much. Without doubt there are numerous overcharges upon 
which there should be a refund. This is our experience. 
I believe the refund from overcharges alone would pay the 
salary of a competent man, several times over. 
But few nurseries can afford to hire a traffic manager who 
is up-to-date, sufficiently posted in transportation matters, 
so that he can make these claims effective. 
I wish to eall your attention to the advisability of the 
American Association hiring a traffic manager who is com¬ 
petent to handle all claims which may be presented to him, 
and who is capable of presenting them in the best manner to 
secure prompt and satisfactory settlement. Claims are some¬ 
times presented which are void. A,competent traffic manager 
would perceive this fact, the claim could be dismissed, reasons 
given and labor saved claimant as well as railway company. 
FEDERAL 
INSPECTION 
AND 
QUARANTINE 
