WINTER MEETING, 1S82. 15 



doubtedly some just as poor. But that it is not possible to grow as good stock 

 in Michigan with the same degree of certainty as elsewhere, we are not pre- 

 pared to admit. On the contrary we think, with proper management and a 

 judicious selection of soil and location, just as good stock can be produced here 

 as can be found anywhere, although in the case of some kinds a greater ex- 

 pense, perhaps. We are inclined to the opinion that some trees got more 

 fibrous roots in Michigan if properly grown, than in otlier localities where 

 there is less sand in the soil. We also believe that while perhaps a faster 

 growth may be obtained in some other localities, it is here compensated by a 

 greater degree of hardiness. We repeat that we think, undoubtedly, some kinds 

 of nursery stock can be well grown with less cost in some localities than in others?, 

 and we think we can already discover a growing tendency with nurserymen to 

 pay their chief attention to some specialty for which their location is peculiarly 

 well adapted; and a greater inclination among planters to procure what they 

 need directly from the producer. Not that we think the canvasser is destined 

 to oblivion, by any means. No ! No ! for we shall always consider a real 

 wide-awake, and competent canvasser, who is strictly honest with his customer 

 and true to his employer, as a desirable attach^ to the business, and one of 

 the noblest and rarest productions of the craft. Such an one, like the stand- 

 ard dollar, ought to be well received everywhere, but I am sorry to say that 

 too often the glittering counterfeit is taken at a premium, while the genuine 

 gets both "clipped and punched," if not wholly rejected. 



Without taking your time for a detailed comparison of our prodnctious with 

 those of other localities, I will say that in my opinion a great deal more de- 

 pends upon the proper treatment of nursery stock after it is well grown, than 

 upon the locality which produced it. Yes, very much more than most plant- 

 ers are aware of, and I presume to say that more well-grown stock is actually 

 lost from bad treatment before planting than all other causes combined, 

 although the result of this ill treatment may not be always manifest to the 

 inexperienced until after it has been assigned its place in the orchard. 



Very much is lost from bad packing, not always the result of ignorance, but 

 often sheer carelessness. Trees, vines, and plants may be packed so as to go 

 safely across the continent, and they may be ruined during a short journey, 

 by neglecting proper ventilation or some other requisite for a safe transit. 

 But a still larger proportion are ruined between the time of unpacking and 

 planting. We have known instances of purchasers who received well-grown 

 trees in good condition, put them in a wagon with no protection to the roots, 

 wait around town two or three hours, then drive home several miles, arriving 

 late in the evening, who would care well for their team, and "heel" them- 

 selves into the house quick as possible, but leave their bundle of trees out over 

 night with roots exposed to drying winds or frost, and if convenient plant 

 them out next day or the day after, and afterwards decline to pay for them or 

 ask to have them replaced because they did not grow. How often have I heard 

 just this class of horticulturists, if I may call them such, say that "trees will 

 not grow for me and I will not try any more." Probably the very best way 

 for the planter to supply his Avants, especially if he is located within reach of 

 a reliable nursery, is to go directly there and procure his trees, then see well to 

 it that the roots are not allowed to dry during the journey or process of plant- 

 ing, and not fail to mulch directly after the planting is done. The roots of 

 evergreens during transplanting should never be allowed to dry, and if packed 

 in boxes the foliage should be kept dry and well ventilated. 



