WHERE TO OBTAIN OUR FRUIT TREES. 



READ BY A. G. GULLEY, BEFORE THE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY AT 



LANSING, FEBRUARY 9, 1875. 



The large number of fruit trees now being planted in Michigan has given 

 rise to the important question as to how and where shall we obtain onr nursery 

 stock. Shall we depend on our own State nurseries, or can we, without detri- 

 ment to ourselves or stock, send to other States for a supply ? 



It is well known that large quanties of trees are coming into the State every 

 year, and it may be well for planters to consider if it is necessary or for their 

 interest to send elsewhere for trees. This question is rendered still more im- 

 portant on account of the serious damage done to the stock of this and other 

 western States in the winter of 1873 and 18T3, and the past winter. 



It may be well first to speak of two items sometimes considered in purchasing 

 stock for planting, but which ought never to be taken into account. They are : 

 cost, and the distance which it is transported. Good trees should always be 

 obtained, no matter what the first cost. A planter can better afford to pay a 

 great price for trees of good quality and adapted to his location, than to plant 

 poor stock if he could get it for nothing. However, the prices of trees in the 

 different States, except those west, are so near alike that all can deliver them 

 at our doors at about the same rate. But western trees grow so mnch faster 

 and easier, they can be sold much cheaper than Michigan or eastern nursery- 

 men can grow them. But this is no exception to our rule to pay a good price 

 for good trees. Many persons prefer eastern stock, yet do not like to buy it, 

 owing to the distance it has to be shipped. This need never be an objection. 

 Every nurseryman, of any importance, each season packs and ships trees that 

 go hundreds of miles without any injury. Indeed, each year there are large 

 amounts of stock imported that has traveled thousands of miles, and yet ar- 

 rives in perfect order. A planter need not hesitate on this point if he wishes 

 to obtain trees from a distance. 



The largest portion of the nursery stock of the Uoited States is grown in 

 five States : New York, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, — New York alone 

 furnishing more than all the rest. In the first three the nurseries are usually 

 on heavy or loamy soil, making the quality of the stock, so far as that is con- 

 cerned, much the same. The trees not being forced make a hardy growth, and 

 in ordinary seasons the wood is ripened early and well piepared for the cold 

 weather. In Indiana and Illinois the trees are grown on what is known as 



