41 
THE NATIONAL 
Special Correspondence. 
GRADING OF NURSERY STOCK 
AN IMPORTANT ISSUE. 
The subject of a uniform system of grading nursery stock is a 
matter which should be looked into; and the Nurserymen 
from the different sections of the country should practice 
more uniformity of grade. At the next meeting of the 
National Association of Nurserymen we think it would be 
well that a committee should be appointed to thoroughly 
investigate this matter and establish a schedule of rules for 
grading different classes of nursery stock. If this could be 
accomplished it would save an immense amount of dissatis¬ 
faction and sometimes litigation between the nurserymen 
and the purchaser. Some nurserymen caliper at the 
ground line, others at the junction of bud with stock, and 
others at various other places. We think the caliper 
should be taken about four inches above the junction 
of bud with stock. This would be well above the swelling 
and would be fair for all parties. Grafted stock, of course, 
should be calipered at the ground line. Again some Nur¬ 
serymen will bud certain trees, such as pecans, chest¬ 
nuts, etc., from one to three feet above the ground, but in 
quoting this stock give the height from the ground and omit 
to state that the trees are top worked at so many feet (giving- 
distance from the ground), and-also fail to state the growth 
of the bud or graft. We think it would be well to bring this 
matter before the nurserymen previous to the meeting; as 
it is high time that the matter of grading be carefully 
considered and if possible permanently settled. 
L. A. Berckmans, 
Augusta, Ga. P. J. Berckmans Co. 
Writing again Mr. Berckmans says: 
In addition to my letter of the 28th to you in which I re¬ 
ferred to grading of nursery stock another important item 
suggests itself to me. It is well enough to apply the six¬ 
teenths of an inch rule to seedlings and small stock for graft¬ 
ing or lining out, but when it comes to the regular grades of 
trees I think the sixteenths of an inch should be eliminated 
and nothing but the eighths of an inch be used. 
L. A. Berckmans. 
THE GRADING QUESTION. 
MR. BROOKE OFFERS IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS. 
I consider the grading of nursery stock a matter of the great¬ 
est importance. Indeed it is only surpassed in importance, 
by stock being healthy and true to name. 
Every honest wholesale nurseryman desires to have his 
stock please his customer, and it is a great recommendation to 
him to be known as an individual who is up on grades. It takes 
a quick eye and reliable judgment to grade either trees or 
seedlings accurately. 
Custom varies in different localities. In Topeka a first class 
tree is supposed to caliper f inch from three to six inches 
from the collar. Caliper of all lower grades to be taken at the 
same place. Height and the general make up of the tree 
enters into the making of the grade. It matters not what 
grade the tree enters, it is supposed to be a perfect tree in its 
NURSERYMAN 
grade. In grading cherry the caliper is always taken above 
the union. 
I am a stranger to nut culture, but I suppose the same 
rule would apply. 
The grading of. seedlings especially apple, has become al¬ 
most the “whole thing.” A No. 1 apple seedling is always 
supposed to mean one that will caliper 3-16 at the collar, or 
where the yellow of the root meets the green of the top. Re¬ 
cently the caliper has been applied eight inches from the collar. 
This is no standard and should never be allowed to become one. 
A first class seedling should be one that will make three 
piece root grafts, which would indicate a length of some seven 
or eight inches. It does not follow that these grafts have to 
be all No. 1 grafts. An apple root that will make two No. ] 
grafts and one No. 2 graft should be classed as a No. 1 seedling. 
On the other hand a seedling that will make one No. 1 graft 
and one, or two No. 2 grafts should be classed a No. 2 seedling. 
I am fully convinced that if some rule, or set of rules could 
be adopted by the National Convention for the grading of 
trees and seedlings it would be of material benefit to the gen¬ 
eral nursery trade. 
I hope to see this question extensively discussed in the col¬ 
umns of your valuable monthly. 
Topeka, Ivas. A. L. Brooke. 
SUGGESTIONS OF A VETERAN GRADER. 
I am usually very slow to respond to appeals for matter 
intended for publication. I should, however, have a voice in 
this subject if it is to be discussed in your columns as it was my 
privilege to introduce the caliper in grading trees about 45 
years ago, when I was a large buyer as well as a large seller of 
nursery stock. 
It has been my practice and I believe it has been pretty 
generally accepted that the proper place to caliper a tree in 
case of a bud inserted near the ground, is three inches above the 
point of union; in the case of a root grafted tree it should be 
calipered three inches above the ground. Seedlings sold as 
such for grafting, for transplanting or for budding should be 
calipered at the collar; rooted cuttings at the ground. 
In the case of top worked trees the caliper should be used 
three inches above the ground and a description of the top be 
given. 
In describing a grade by caliper, the caliper governs but it 
is customery to give the proximate heights, measured from 
the ground. 
Huntsville, Ala. W. F. Heikes. 
TIME REDUCED 
NINETEEN AND ONE-HALF HOURS 
TO MEXICO. 
Wabash Line trains make close connections at St. Louis with trains 
via the Iron Mountain Railway and Laredo Route carrying through 
Palace Sleeping cars to the City of Mexico. Time is less than three 
days from St. Louis. Two trains Daily. You can leave St. Louis at 
2.21 P. M. and arrive at City of Mexico 10.50 A. M. the third morning 
or you can leave St. Louis at 8.20 P. M. and arrive City of Mexico 7.30 
P. M. the third evening. Mexico is a delightful and healthful winter 
resort. Your nearest Ticket Agent will give you full information or 
write R. F. Kelley, G. A. P. D. or James Gass, N. Y. S. P. A., 287 Main 
Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
