the national nurseryman 
87 
THE TARIFF; AN IMPORTERS’ VIEWS. 
The Tariff as it stands at present seems to be fair to 
everyone. It protects the American grower, yet permits 
the jobber or nurseryman to import what is necessary to fill 
his orders. Any change either up or down would tend to 
destroy the present balance. 
Instead of each nurseryman advocating changes, nearly 
always is his own interest only, all should combine in pre¬ 
venting the collection of duty upon packing and cases. 
The lumber used all over Europe for this purpose is imported 
principally from' United. States, Canada, Norway and 
Sweden. A duty is paid upon this lumber when it is im¬ 
ported into Holland, France, etc., and an additional duty 
upon entering the town. This explains the high cost of- 
packing in Europe and we consider it quite unfair for Uncle 
Sam to assess a 25% duty upon this same lumber when it is 
brought back as packing, when duty is paid on contents. 
Specific duties are always simpler and more desirable in 
theory, but in practice they work hardships to the importer. 
Instead of considering the market values of an importation 
of nursery stock after it has been forwarded as at present, 
the Government to protect itself must check up the contents 
of each case before forwarding. This would throw us back 
to the old system of public store examination of each case 
and with the usual congestion -would cause lengthy delays 
and probable loss of contents. 
Nurserymen cannot be expected to understand the 
cause of such delays and why they should pay for stock 
received dead or damaged— killed or injured through the 
putting into effect of their own suggestion. A New York 
firm of importers should be represented on the Tariff Com¬ 
mittee of the American Association of Nurserymen. 
The suggested duty of four per cent. each, specific on 
Roses would work hardship to the Nurserymen themselves. 
It is practically prohibitive. The present duty of 2pjc each 
specific, amply protects the American grower as it gives'him 
over 100% margin over foreign cost. Even the poorest of 
Holland Roses cost $35.00 per 1000 (duty and importation 
expenses alone) to land at New York. 
The cost of importing large trees and evergreens is suffi¬ 
cient protection in itself. 4 n additional duty would pre¬ 
vent Nurserymen covering shortages and would conse¬ 
quently cause them loss of trade. A Norway Spruce, 5-6 ft. 
high delivered at New York costs approximately 300% of 
its Holland value, not counting its present 25% duty. Why 
increase this duty? 
Germany increased its duty on importations of large 
Evergreens and forest trees but after the Tariff has been in 
effect only about six months it was repealed about a month 
ago. Now all forest trees under 8 ft. high are admitted free. 
Our Holland correspondent in informing us of this writes 
“they have done this because the nurseries in Germany 
charge so high for this class of stock and it is profitable for 
the whole country if big forests are planted.” 
Many of your correspondents assume that stock is im¬ 
ported because it is cheap. This fallacy is easily disproven. 
No European exporter could afford to ship anything but the 
very best. The stock is imported by American Nurserymen 
for one or more of three reasons as follows: 
1. Because it cannot be successfully grown here as Pear. 
Quince, Cherry and other fruit stocks, Rhododendrons, etc. 
2. Because the trees are straight and better selected as 
in Norway and Schwedler Maples, etc. 
3. Because the stock is better packed and put up in 
more attractive form, as Roses, etc. 
While we do not advocate-the present abolishment of all 
duty upon nursery stock, we believe it would be a good 
thing ultimately for nurserymen. As Mr. Ouwerkerk says 
in February number, of National Nurseryman we need 
trees, millions of them to replant our denuded forests and 
plant around thousands of bare homes, especially through 
the middle west. 
Yours truly, 
New York. McHutciiison & Co. 
DIPPING NURSERY STOCK. 
Experiments have been carried on by one or two stations 
in reference to the influence and efficiency of dipping nur¬ 
sery stock as a means of ridding it of San Jose scale. Dip¬ 
ping is to be looked upon as an alternative method with 
fumigation. The Maryland Experiment Station reports as 
follows: 
Summary of Dipping Experiments. 
“A summary of these experiments shows that dipping dormant 
nursery trees in the lime-sulphur wash, either stems and roots or 
stems alone, at a temperature of 172 degrees Fahrenheit, may be 
expected to be attended by severe injury to the trees and a much 
lowdr temperature would be desirable if the effect upon the health 
of the trees alone could be considered. In the first experiment 
considerable difference is noted in dipping roots and stems and stems 
alone in the solution at 172 degrees Fahrenheit. In the succeeding 
experiments practically no difference could be detected between 
those immersed stems and roots or stems alone in the lime-sulphur 
solution at 100 degrees Fahrenheit or other solutions employed, with 
possibly the exception of some miscible oils. We believe, however, 
the dipping of the roots of trees in any of these solutions to be rather 
a questionable procedure and not a safe treatment for the trees. 
“The results as indicated in experiments two, three and four go 
to show that dormant nursery trees may be dipped instantaneously 
stems and tops only, in the lime-sulphur wash at or below the tem¬ 
perature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and in the various miscible oils 
employed in our tests without apparent injury resulting to the trees. 
They also show that only strictly dormant nursery stock should be 
dipped in any of the solutions used. 
“These experiments further indicate that such treatment may 
be considered effective in combating the San Jose scale, as in all the 
tests where infested*trees were dipped no live scale could be found 
on the trees at the final examination. However, the published 
results of other experimenters and the limited number of infested 
trees included in these tests, lead us to consider that these results 
may be inconclusive. 
“These varying results go to show that further experimentation 
is necessary in order to establish what may be expected from such 
treatment before its adoption for general use becomes desirable.” 
My business for Spring delivery is much better than it 
was last year, and sales are getting better all the time. 
Yours truly, 
B. R. Harris. 
“Cannot afford to do without your trade journal.” 
Provo Nurseries. 
