74 STATE HORTICUIiTUKAL SOCIETY. 



but have gradually come to tlie conclusion that they may be of some good 

 after all; for, in these days of horticultural meetings everywhere, with 

 papers and magazines devoted to our interests printed in nearly every state, 

 the man who is duped in this manner really deserves the loss which follows 

 the transaction. Still, the public have a right to complain, as a locality 

 having many of these dupes can not maintain a very good reputation for 

 either fruit or intelligence, as it furnishes a dumping ground for nursery 

 trash that should go to the brush-heap and be burned. 



AS TO BUYING TREES. 



Now, a few words about buying trees. Never buy of irresponsible trav- 

 eling agents. It is never safe. Do not buy in a locality where people are 

 negligent as to yellows. Buy only of men who have a good reputation and 

 are careful to maintain it. Such men will always give as low prices as they 

 can afford, for cash, and you should not ask them to give you credit, as the 

 thought naturally occurs to them that if your credit is good you would not 

 be looking for it abroad. Always provide yourself with cash, then buy 

 close, never accepting any but choice stock of proper age. The only 

 inducement to a nurseryman to take your note is in case he is overstocked 

 or can work off upon you unsalable varieties or ages. Depend upon it, he 

 will not give you as good a deal as he would for cash. 



SOME OTHER GOOD POINTS. 



Little need be said about fitting land and setting trees, except that, of 

 course, it should by all means be well and deeply plowed and harrowed. It 

 is also important that the trees be procured in the fall and properly heeled 

 in. Then they will be at hand the moment they are desired for setting, 

 which should be as early as the soil will work nicely. Another advantage 

 in fall purchasing is that you can then get whatever varieties you want. 

 They stand shipment better, and generally cost less money. The neglect 

 of these precautions has been the source of many disappointments in 

 peach-growing. Trees should not be set closer than 20x20 feet, or 108 trees 

 per acre, and they should be very firmly set. A few hours' or even days' 

 extra tipie spent in getting rows perfectly straight and trees properly set 

 will be a source of pride ever after, and is always an attraction if you want 

 to sell a farm. 



CULTURAL METHODS. 



A young orchard should receive thorough culture with some hoed crop 

 (corn preferred) until about August 1, for the first two years, after which 

 it should receive the same culture without any crop. If the location is one 

 in which curl-leaf prevails, it is safer to delay all cultivation until about 

 June 1, or until settled warm weather. 



Trimming should be commenced as soon as the growth is fairly started, 

 by rubbing off all growth up to a point about two feet from the ground. 

 Then select three or four strong shoots, evenly distributed about the body 

 for about a foot above this point. From these form your top, trimming out 

 all others. The next spring cut back the strongest growths to correspond 

 with the rest. After this cut back all strong growth each year, fully one 



