126 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
black currant plants from the New England States into 
the State of New York. These regulations are made to 
prevent the introduction of the blister rust into unin¬ 
fected regions by the transportation of diseased host 
plants from infected areas, and especially to protect the 
valuable western white pine forests. A single shipment 
of infected stock may cause colossal loss. 
In order that common carriers and nurserymen may 
know the Federal blister rust quarantine laws, and the 
regions to which they apply, a poster has been printed, 
giving this information and is being sent all nurserymen 
in the East, as well as certain freight and express agents 
and postmasters. Additional copies may be secured from 
the Federal Horticultural Board at Washington, D. C. It 
is realized that carelessness on the part of nursery em¬ 
ployees frequently is responsible for illegal shipments. 
It, is desirable that this poster he placed in packing sheds 
as a reminder of shipping restrictions. 
Blister rust is widespread throughout New England, 
New York, western Wisconsin, and northeastern Min¬ 
nesota. Five-leaved pines, currants and gooseberries 
shipped into the West prior to enactment of quarantine 
have been inspected, and no trace of the disease has been 
found west of the Great Plains. The western white and 
sugar pine forests comprise 65 billion feet of timber, and 
young growth of these species has exceptional value in 
future forest management. The safety of these forests 
depends upon keeping out the blister rust. This can be 
done if the Federal regulations are observed. Failure to 
do so jeopardizes one of our most valuable forest re¬ 
sources. It is an act of good citizenship to aid in pro¬ 
tecting our western forests by making special efforts to 
comply with this quarantine order. 
ciation and freer use of native plants. 
It is a curious thing that one has to go to the gardens 
of Europe to really become acquainted with American 
plants; to see them done well and appreciated as they 
deserve. 
There are certain groups of plants that have been cul¬ 
tivated so long, they have ceased to belong to any coun¬ 
try in particular, such as roses, dahlias, gladiolis, many 
of the shrubs and vines. These are garden plants and 
belong to American gardens as much as any other. 
There is, however, a deliberate ignoring of our very 
rich flora in favor of alien plants that are neither as 
handsome or desirable j ust because they happen to be 
grown by nurserymen. 
This is conspicuously so in trees and evergreens, why 
is the Norway Maple planted in preference to the Red 
Maple, the Norway Spruce in preference to the Hem¬ 
lock, the Austrian and Scotch Pine rather than the 
American sorts? 
Largely because of the lines of least resistance for the 
nurseryman and following the channels of trade. 
The European exporter of plants did send us choice 
things but our use of them made them common if not a 
little vulgar. 
We have a chance now to start a new fashion, let us 
try to bring to the front some of our own native plants 
that have been so long neglected. This does not mean 
jobbing in collected plants but propagating and grow¬ 
ing them in the nurseries and demonstrating to the con¬ 
sumer the wonderful beauty of our own flora. 
WHAT IS THE ANSWER? 
AMERICAN PLANTS 
1 he stoppage of imports of plants from foreign coun¬ 
tries brought about by quarantine 37 is beginning to 
make itself felt in the nurseries. 
Certain kinds of plants for whose propagation we 
almost depended entirely upon Europe are getting quite 
scarce. From our view point at least this is not to be 
regretted; while all plants have their attractions when 
properly grown and placed, their indiscriminate use for 
all purposes and situations becomes tiresome and any¬ 
thing but good taste. 
The imported Blue Spruce, Rhododendron and as¬ 
sorted evergreens with the Holland stamp upon them, as 
they used 1o come into the country and find their way 
into our gardens through the auction rooms, dry goods 
stores and jobbing nurserymen and florists made them 
stereotyped and anything but interesting. 
It was becoming so that the channels of trade was our 
landscape dictator without the least self assertion on 
our part. 
Now that particular channel of trade has been stopped, 
w hat will be the next that will flow along the lines of 
least resistance and set the fashion in front yards? 
That question is easily answered. It will be plants 
I hat propagate easily and grow readily. But let us hope 
the change will ultimately he production of good and 
lead to better things, one of which will be a better appre¬ 
Mr. Editor— 
Talking with a member of the American Association 
the other day the point came up as to why it was that 
this year the plan of sending to each member soon after 
I he Annual Meeting, a copy of the proceedings of that 
Annual Meeting, had not been carried out. 
The published proceedings were appreciated by the 
members, as then all the members could know how im¬ 
portant matters, discussed at the meeting, were decided, 
whether that member was present or absent; could 
know what Nurserymen were members and what dues 
were paid. 
As members, we could not see why all this informa¬ 
tion should be withheld, for as we looked at it the Am¬ 
erican Association should be an Association for All the 
members and All the members should know All about 
All ol the transactions of All of the Association Matters. 
Has the Association now become a “Close Corpora¬ 
tion ?'’ Can you persuade “the powers that be” to open 
up ? 
Member. 
THE NEXT CONVENTION 
the coming convention of the American Association of 
Nurserymen will be held June 22, 23, 24. 
Word received from the chairman of the committee on 
arrangements states—The Congress Hotel has again been 
selected as headquarters. 
