Cbe Rational nurseryman. 
FOR GROWERS AND DEALERS IN NURSERY STOCK 
The National Nurseryman Publishing Co., Incorporated 
Vol.XXIX. HATBORO, PENNA., JANUARY 1921 
A National Tree 
The American Forestry Association is trying to crys- 
talize public opinion or get it to express itself by ballot in 
relation to a national emblem. The movement will be 
productive of good even if it fails of its object, in that it 
will tend to arouse interest in trees. 
The efforts to bring about the adoption of a national 
flower have not met with success. 
It is somewhat characteristic of the American people to 
rush things. What other countries require years or cen¬ 
turies to do we will at least attempt to accomplish in com¬ 
paratively as many weeks, but sentiment is a difficult 
thing to rush. It is doubtful if a national emblem can be 
chosen by ballot or adopted by legislation it is one of 
those things that has to grow in the hearts of the people, 
quickened into being by some national tragedy or event. 
It is more than likely, time will prove that the poppies 
of France have already immortalized to forever represent 
the heroes of the trenches in France. 
It is not the flower itself but the memory of the tra¬ 
gedy, horror, valor, and sacrifice that is interwoven with 
them. 
The Shamrock of Ireland, Thistle of Scotland, Rose of 
England, Lilies of France, Leek of Wales or any other 
national emblem were not adopted by ballot but by some 
soul stirring event in the nations’ history. 
To select some kind of indigenous tree for its suit¬ 
ability as a national emblem would be difficult. The 
country is so vast and its flora so different in its varied 
regions, that while the Palm, Cypress, Magnolia, Live 
Oak would be popular in the south they would be com¬ 
paratively unknown outside of that region. The same 
would be true of the Hemlock, Pine, Dogwood, Red bud, 
Rircli, Hickory, Oak, Chestnut and those trees common 
to the North. Then there are the vast treeless plains 
whose variety of indigenous trees is confined to the Cot¬ 
tonwood, Willow along the streams and a few stunted 
representatives of such as the Oak, Pine and Cedar 
groups in isolated locations. 
The Cactus would be a fitting emblem for the South 
West but it would be entirely out of place representing 
the magnificent forests of the North West. 
There are some trees already peculiarly identified 
with our country and its history. Mention might be made 
of the dogwood splashed with the blood of those who 
fought in the civil war, aye and even in the Revolution. 
It would not be drawing on the imagination much to 
clothe the origin of the red form with those historical 
events. It would be as authentic as the traditions caus¬ 
ing the adoption of the Thistle by Scotland and the Rose 
by England. 
Then there is the noble American Elm under which 
tree Penn made his treaty with the Indians. Then there 
are the Sequoias the oldest living things on earth, pe¬ 
culiarly American and cannot be associated with any 
other country and doubtless other kinds of trees that have 
their claims for consideration of adoption, to say nothing 
of plants like the Indian Corn, which has perhaps done 
more to make America great than any other plant. 
The tobacco, potato, and cotton with its dual claim for 
consideration on account of the use Andrew Jackson 
made of the bales in the battle of New Orleans, are all 
worthy of consideration from sentimental considerations. 
Whatever movement is started that will induce people 
to “think” trees is deserving the whole hearted support 
of nurserymen. 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD 
Washington, D. C. 
November 4, 1920. 
Editor, National Nurseryman, 
Flourtown, Pa. 
Dear Sir: 
I note that you have published in your issue of De¬ 
cember, 1920 the appeal issued by the committee headed 
by Mr. J. Horace McFarland with respect to Quarantine 
No. 37. Perhaps you will be willing to acquaint your 
readers with the other side of the situation and give 
them some of the real facts in the matter as set forth in 
my letter to Mr. McFarland of November 23, a copy of 
which I enclose. I have noted your editorial, which I 
think points out one very important phase of the matter. 
This Department certainly is not going to change the 
quarantine on account of any hysterical circularization 
which seems to be now under way especially when the 
statements in the circular are so easily shown to be mis- 
representative of the facts. Nurserymen and others who 
have invested money in new plant production enterprises 
in this country on the strength of this quarantine can rest 
assured that the quarantine will not be changed except 
for good and valid reasons which all can appreciate the 
full need for and justice of. The general principle on 
which this quarantine is based will undoubtedly be ad¬ 
hered to, namely, the exclusion of commercial entry of 
all plants which are not necessary for the development 
and future of the horticulture and floriculture of America 
with the one purpose, mind you, of excluding new plant 
enemies. 
Yours very truly, 
C. L. Marlatt, Chairman of Board. 
