148 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
ment in its broader aspects but think this can best be 
brought about by a publicity that encourages planting 
rather than one which advertises the trustworthiness of 
the members of the American Association. 
An analysis of the whole situation will reveal there is 
no real difference in the ideals and aims of the different 
members it is only in the methods by which progress and 
betterment of the trade is to be brought about. 
A stalemate is not progressive. 
A division of forces as would occur should a consid¬ 
erable number withdraw from the Association would 
weaken the power for good. 
It is earnestly hoped that the leaders will get together 
and adjust the differences and that every nurseryman at¬ 
tending the Convention will go there with the one object 
of bringing about cooperation for the upbuilding of the 
American Association for the betterment of the trade. 
QUESTION AND ANSWER COLUMN 
One of our readers has suggested a question and 
answer column. 
We shall be only too glad to feature this idea and 
supply all the space necessary. 
Send in your questions. If we cannot answer them 
ourselves, we will at least publish them and give the op¬ 
portunity to our numerous readers to give brother nur¬ 
serymen the benefit of their knowledge and experience. 
Knowledge is the one thing you can give away without 
being any the poorer. 
PAYMENT OF LAST YEAR’S DUES KEEP MEMRERS 
IN GOOD STANDING UNTIL CLOSE OF 
CONVENTION 
The Executive Committee has definitely decided by 
vote that all members of the American Association of 
Nurserymen who paid their dues last year are entitled to 
participate in and vote at the Convention. 
This decision is subsequent and corrects the statement 
in the circular, announcing the 46th Annual Convention, 
that dues are to be paid prior to the 1921 Convention to 
hold members in good standing and entitle them to vote. 
DOES THE A. A. OF N. ENDORSE INCORPORATION? 
I believe it is within the province of the Executive 
Committee to manage the Association affairs between the 
annual meetings, but that does not warrant it in ignoring 
any explicit instructions given it at any annual meeting. 
At the 1920 convention we adopted a resolution in¬ 
structing the Executive Committee to investigate the ad¬ 
visability of Association incorporation and if it found a 
feasible plan to print and distribute a proposition cover¬ 
ing a plan of incorporation prior to the 1921 convention 
so that members might then discuss and vote upon the 
plan intelligently. I am informed that the Association has 
been incorporated although no plan or proposition has 
been printed and distributed among the members so that 
"they might discuss and act on it intelligently at the next 
convention.” There were evidently various opinions on 
this incorporation matter and I cannot understand why 
it has been completed in view of the plain instructions of 
that resolution. Constitution. 
WILLIAM PITKIN REPLIES TO J. R. MAYHEW 
Rochester, N. Y., May 23, 1921. 
Editor, National Nurseryman: 
Mr. Mayliew says in bis article in your May number 
that bis only excuse for a reappearance is my communi¬ 
cation in your April issue. 
That seems to warrant me in saying that the main pur¬ 
pose of my article was to bring out if possible a definite 
statement of results secured by the present policies of the 
A. A. of N., something definite, tangible—not gen¬ 
eralities, not what Mr. Mayliew terms “buncombe”— 
something that we could stick a pin in and say: “This 
has been accomplished.” 
I have carefully read Mr. Mayhew’s article and the 
only thing that I can find that approaches a statement of 
results accomplished is his belief that the “good-will of 
the public, an intangible asset” lias been secured. Many 
of us believe, and with equally good reason, that any 
benefit of that character has been more than offset by the 
publicity given to the sins and frailties of the trade. 
Mr. Mayliew thinks that if Article IX has been honestly 
lived up to that much has been accomplished. Rut has it? 
I don’t know whether any applications for membership 
have been turned down on account of Article IX; but 
what has been done with those already behind the “sign 
above the door?” What house-cleaning has been done? 
Have we done anything more than to stir up the dust? 
What has been done to make the trademark mean some¬ 
thing real to the public? 
A careful reading of the Constitution and Ry-laws dis¬ 
closes that the method for house-cleaning is provided 
only in Article IX of the constitution, to which such frag- 
quent reference has been made. Now, if any “honest-to- 
goodness” house-cleaning is to be done it can only be 
done legally under the provisions of that Article and that 
Article provides that “if unethical transactions are 
brought to the attention of the Executive Committee, that 
committee “shall immediately make such investigation as 
will develop all facts in the case and bring their report 
before the next annual meeting of the Association. If it 
is proven that such dealings violated established ethical 
relations, members shall be expelled by a majority vote 
of the members present provided such members shall 
have the right to be heard in his own behalf before such 
action is taken.” Since Article IX was adopted has any 
unethical matter been investigated by the Executive Com¬ 
mittee and reported to the Association for its considera¬ 
tion? Has any accused member been accorded a hearing 
to which he was entitled? Has any unethical member 
been expelled by a majority vote of members present? 
The answer must be No. Then, what real house-cleaning 
has been done? 
I fail to find anything in the constitution and by-laws 
which provides for a Vigilance Committee or gives such 
committee power to investigate and discipline, nor can 
anything be found authorizing the Executive Committee 
to delegate its authority in this particular. The Execu¬ 
tive Committee cannot relieve itself of this burden and 
