STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 91 



In one sense tree ped«llers are a blessing, as they unqnestionably 

 induce the pLinting of many trees that would not otherwise be 

 planted, and very many ( {)orhai)s not all ) are a blessin<i; to others, if 

 not to the ])lanter. But the lapse of time between planting and 

 fruitage, the desire for the extraordinary or marvelous, and the cu- 

 pidity of man among buyers, enables the peddler, by the means of 

 bright and beautifully-eolored plates, and carefully selected and per- 

 haps niagiiitied s[)ecimens, and liberal use of a glib tongue, to sell 

 trees, plants, etc., at two or three times what they could be bought 

 for at the nursery. The devices are many, and some of them reri/ 

 disho)ifsf. that are made use of to effect a trade, but dishonest 1/ is dis- 

 lionvsiij jrliererer ynti Jiiid if, and the tree peddler shall receive no 

 apology from me for dishonest practices. I fully believe that an 

 honest tree peddler (is there such a thing?) could establish a trade 

 and do a good business in any county in Illinois, and increase his 

 trade from year to year; but, alas, in most cases I fear their cupidity 

 is greater than their honesty. It is said an honest man is the noblest 

 work of God, and some one has added, " the scarcest," so I hardly 

 think it would pay you to hunt them among tree peddlers. And 

 when a new tree, plant, shrub or vine is first brought out and scarce, 

 it might be possible that some tree peddler would sell you some old 

 (and frequently belter) kind for the high-priced variety. But so 

 long as men will buy of strangers at fancy prices, the stranger will 

 be there to sell. 



Now as to the remedies for the dishonest practices, First: Legis- 

 lation. Insurance comjianies are comjiellod to incor])orate. if within 

 the State, or make and tile certain papers with tiie Auditor before 

 doing business in this State if foreign companies. Physicians and 

 druggists must license before doing business. Hackmen in cities are 

 re(|uired to be known and numbered, etc., etc. (Jn talking with my 

 neighbor, the veteran horticulturist, Thomas Gregg, one day since 

 the programme was issued and this subject assigned me, the subject 

 of legislation was broached; and since he has written an article for 

 the I'vdirie Fanner, which I presume will be published in due time, 

 ^i\'mg his views.) But most statutory laws are evaded, and I pre- 

 sume a far better way is to be very careful not to get excited and 

 allow a peddler to persuade you that apples api)roxiinating the si/.e 

 of pumi)kins; l)lackberries, raspberries ami strawberries of fal)ulous 

 si/e and (puility, will be grown during this generation. Don't pay 

 any money or sign any contract until you are assured you will get 

 value received; and if after j>aying a faiii-y pric<' you find out you 

 are swindled, learn by the lesson and be more careful next time. 



But, returning to the subject, the uuvn that has the ability ami 

 energy to handle a cori)s of tree-peddlers and at the same time grow 

 a good nursery stock can nuike the l)usiness profitable; or, if a man 

 is doing a strictly wlujlesalc business, the more tree peddlers the 

 better. But a small nurseryman doing a retail business only will be 



