THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
128 
THE WHITE LEADING OF FRUIT TREES. 1 J 
1 beg space in your valuable journal to say another word 
about the use of white lead paint on fruit trees. I began to 
use this treatment sixteen years since and think I was the 
first to practice it, but I saw it suggested in a note by Elbert 
S. Carman of the Rural New Yorker. He did not claim to have 
tried it. There would be no excuse for my writing again on 
this topic which has been so fully exploited, if it did not 
appear to me that you show some prejudice in your note in the 
June number of The Nurseryman. Y r ou say that “the origi¬ 
nator of the painting method hedges to the extent of saying 
that only pure white lead it to be used,” etc. Now, Mr. Editor, 
1 do not know just what, significance you attach to the word 
“hedges,” but if you intend to imply that I have abated one 
jot or tittle of my recommendation as to the use of white 
lead paint on certain fruit trees you are greatly mistaken. It 
is true that I have always advised the use of pure white lead 
and linseed oil (highest quality not specified by me). The 
reason for this is that I know a number of substances might 
occur in ready mixed paints which would be inimical to the 
tree if brought into such close contact with the bark as is 
furnished by a good coat of paint. I have carefully recom¬ 
mended just what I know to be safe and practical. Many 
thousands of trees have been saved from rodents and to con¬ 
siderable extent from borers, in case of apples, by the ire of 
this paint as 'recommended by me. I have had more than 
20,000 trees so treated under my personal observation and 
many thousands more have been treated through my recom¬ 
mendations and not a single tree has ever been lost by reason 
of the paint, so far as relates to those observed by me and so 
far as I can hear from others. 
I am led to say I wish some competent person could in¬ 
vestigate this instance you mention for I warrant you there 
is a slip wsomewhere. It will not make a particle of differ¬ 
ence when the paint is applied if the right material is used. 
The white lead paint renders it possible to save trees from 
rabbits and mice here in Virginia when nothing else seems 
to be efficient except for brief intervals. 
Wm. B. Alwood. 
Charlottesville, Va. 
THE FRUIT CROP. 
In general it appears that apples will be a light crop. In 
the great fruit growing states of New York, Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, Arkansas, and Missouri, reports vary all the way from 
fair to absolute failure. It would look therefore as if the 
apple crop would be lighter than it has been in many years. 
Peaches have been a light crop in the South. In the East, 
New York and Connecticut both apples and peaches promise 
an exceptionally good crop. Cherries have been heavy. 
Plums are variable and pears arc fair. Considerable blight 
has appeared in different parts of .the country, which has 
reduced the pear crop. 
The Continental Plant Company, Kittrell, N. C., have a general line 
of nursery stock. See their “ ad” in this issue. 
Write August Rolker & Sons, .31 Barclay Street, New York City, 
for special trade offer of nursery stocks grown by W. Fromow & Sons, 
Bogsliot, Surrey, England. 
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
MEETS AT KANSAS CITY, SEPT. 19-21— IMPORTANT ADDRESSES 
—EXCURSION TO THE FRUIT REGION OF OZARKS OF 
MISSOURI AND ARKANSAW. 
The details of the approaching meeting of the American 
Pomological Society, at Kansas City, Sept. 19-21, are being 
rapidly completed. Two of the important subjects to be 
discussed are plant breeding and plant introduction. The 
United States Department of Agriculture is investigating 
by. means of foreign explorers the plant wealth of regions 
practically unknown. Plants of much value to the eco¬ 
nomic world are being introduced. This whole subject will 
be discussed by the head of that division. 
New varieties of fruits will be considered. The nomen¬ 
clature of old varieties will be the subject of a report. The 
score card method of judging fruits will again be carefully 
revised before being passed upon by the society.' Practical 
questions relating to orchard management will be handled 
by noted fruit-growers. 
The Missouri and Kansas City and Frisco Railways offer a 
complimentary excursion to the great fruit growing region 
of the Ozarks. 
The American Pomological Society stands not only for 
the improvement of American pomology, but for the ele¬ 
vation of the ideals of country living in the United States 
and Canada. State Horticultural Societies are expected to 
appoint delegates to attend this meeting. These delegates 
will be recognized on presenting proper credentials. 
Officers: President, J. H. Hale, South Glastonbury, 
Connecticut; Secretary, John Craig, Ithaca, N. Y.; Treas¬ 
urer, L. R. Taft, Lansing, Michigan. 
MEETING OF SOUTHERN NURSERYMEN’S ASSOCIATION.' 
This important organization will meet in the Monticello Hotel, 
Norfolk, Va., on August 16-17. The following are the principal feat¬ 
ures of the program: 
President Ii. S. Chase will call the meeting to order at 10 o’clock, 
Wednesday morning, August the 16th. Amongst the short papers 
that will be read, to start discussion, will be the following: 
“Legislation,” by N. W. Hale, Knoxville, Tenn. 
“Co-operation,” by Orlando Harrison, Berlin Md. 
“Relation between Nurseryman and Fruit Grower,” by Prof. W. M. 
Scott, Washington, D. C. 
“ Stop-Back,” by W. T. Hood, Richmond, Va. 
“June Buds,” by J. C. Wale, Winchester, Tenn. 
“Transportation,” by J. C. Miller, Rome, Ga. 
“ San Jose Scale,” by R. I. Smith, State Entomologist of Georgia. 
“ Fumigation,” by J. P. Phillips, State Entomologist of Virginia. 
Other subjects will be discussed by J. VanLindley, Pomona, N. C., 
W. F. Heikes of Huntsville, Ala., and other leading Southern Nursery- 
nen. 
It is expected that the program will be made up largely of informal 
discussion, led by our foremost nurserymen. There will be no long dry 
papers. Not a dull minute. Come and see for your self and help to 
make it better. Lay aside all other business and appear in Norfolk, 
Va., August the 16tli and 17th. 
The secretary says: 
“Any nurseryman can become a member of this Association, upon 
payment of the annual dues of $2.00. 
It is necessary that you send in your dues at once in order to become 
enrolled as a member. 
It is possible that you are situated so you cannot attend this meet¬ 
ing. Whether you can or not, you should join us and help the cause 
along. 
As an investment, you will find this unsurpassed. This association 
has already accomplished much good. With combined effort we will be 
able to do much more. Join us now and help. 
All the leading subjects before the Southern Nurseryman to-day will 
come up for discussion at this meeting. Be sure you are there to hear 
and participate. Chas. T. Smith, 
Secretary-Treasurer, 
Concord, Ga. 
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