148 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
Correspondence 
METHODS OF GRADING NURSERY STOCK. 
Editor National Nurseryman, 
Ithaca, New York. 
Mr. Editor: 
In connection with the commercial grades of nursery 
stock and the caliper method used for determining them, I 
have often wondered why the trade does not adopt some 
more simple and consistent rule of measurement. As these 
grades are quoted on the market and indicated on the 
caliper we have the readings 2-16, 3-16, X, f> n-16, y. 
Why not adopt the same denominator thruout thus 2-16, 
3-16, 4-16, 8-16, 10-16, 11-16, and 12-16. They would 
certainly be much easier to remember on this basis and I 
find in presenting the subject to our students in the class¬ 
room that they are more readily grasped when stated in 
this form. 
A. T. Erwin. 
Ames, Iowa, March 15, 1909. 
CONSIDER IMPORT INSPECTION. 
To the Editor National Nurseryman, 
Rochester, N. Y. 
Dear Sir: 
I notice on page 112 of your April issue a letter of my 
firm marked “consider tariff,” which, however, was written 
in January. Since to all appearances the tariff question 
will be a settled matter by convention time, any considera¬ 
tion of that subject will then be too late. But a subject of 
importance to Nurserymen as well as importers will be the 
correct framing of the law intended by congress to regulate 
the inspection of imported stocks, so as not to interfere with 
the promptest rehandling on arrival in United States ports; 
a law that according to my information will come up before 
Congress this coming fall, and which is causing a great deal 
of work and worry to your committee on legislation at the 
present time. 
Yours very truly, 
WlNFRIED ROELKER, 
Of A. Rolker & Sons. 
New York, 
April 12, 1909. 
EXHIBITS COMMITTEE. 
Editor National Nurseryman: 
The exhibition to be held in connection with the Con¬ 
vention of the American Association of Nurserymen in June 
will, I hope, be as interesting and instructive as usual. The 
Chairman of the Committee has not yet taken off his coat, 
but hopes to at no distant day, and will try to have some¬ 
thing to report for the next number of the National 
Nurseryman. I understand that the Committee on 
arrangements has secured suitable exhibition rooms adjoin¬ 
ing the Hotel headquarters where there will be ample room 
for all exhibits, big and little, and I hope that the members 
and others having anything of interest to exhibit, will not 
be backward in coming forward and asking for space reser¬ 
vations. As Chairman of this important branch, I have 
secured the efficient assistance of Charles J. Maloy, who has 
kindly consented to act on the Committee. 
Thomas B. Meehan, Chairman. 
Dreshertown, Month. Co., Pa., April 13, 1909. 
Convention |\°t cs 
OHIO NURSERYMEN COMING TO “GATHERIN’’ 
NEXT CONVENTION. 
April 20, 1909. 
National Nurserymen. 
Rochester was a very happy solution of the always 
distracting question of location for the next annual meet¬ 
ing, at least as far as Ohio Nurserymen are concerned, 
an unusual number of whom have indicated their inten¬ 
tion to attend the meeting of 1909, evidently prompted 
by an earnest desire to visit Rochester, the recognized 
nursery center of the United States. As an estimate, I 
would place the minimum number likely to attend at fifty. 
Ohio for many decades held within her borders the 
Center of Population of the United States. She yet holds 
practically the Center of the nursery population of the 
country, and when we insist on the meeting for 1910 
being held at the Ideal Cedar Point, we are not wholly 
selfish, but advocating a central point that will afford 
the greatest convenience to the greatest number. 
J. W. McNary, 
President of the Ohio Nurserymen’s Association. 
PENNSYLVANIA NURSERYMEN. 
April 20, 1909. 
Ed. National Nurserymen. 
I am sorry to say that I cannot give you precise infor¬ 
mation along the line asked for in your letter. It is likely 
the regular crowd will be there. Abner Hoopes and 
George Achelis of West Chester, William H. Moon of 
Morrisville will undoubtedly come, and of course, I will be 
there, if I am able to walk. ' I have missed only one con¬ 
vention in about twenty-three years, and that single occa¬ 
sion was twenty one years ago. It occurred at the time 
of my marriage and I was justified in missing it that trip. 
I think it probable that a considerable number of the 
other Pennsylvania Nurserymen will attend. Samuel C. 
Moon, of Morrisville, Thomas Rakestraw, of Kennet, per¬ 
haps J. W. Thomas of King of Prussia, and Mr. Jones of 
the Conard & Jones Co., West Grove. These gentlemen 
always attend the convention when it is not too far away.’ 
Pennsylvania may be counted upon to contribute her 
full quota. 
Thos. B. Meehan, 
President Pennsylvania Nurserymen’s Association. 
