284 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



prairie land, which, being very strong, causes them to make a rapid but tender 

 growth and late continued, leaving them in the fall but poorly prepared for 

 our severe winters. This was clearly proven by the immense losses sustained, 

 by the nurserymen of these States two years ago, the trees in many instances 

 being killed outright, and not simply frozen back as in this State. This kill- 

 ing back^ so far as I have learned, was not serious in Ohio, and scarcely took 

 piace at all in New York. 



In climate and temperature the trcc-growitig States much resemble each 

 other, New York being, perhaps, the nearest like our own, but generally hav- 

 ing more snow and not subject to those ^sudden and severe changes often expe- 

 rienced here. Ohio difiFers only in being a little milder. In the matter of 

 climate, therefore, we have but little choice, and, if the answer to our topic 

 depended on this alone, it might easily be given. Simply get trees from a 

 climate as near as possible like our own. However, there is one gross violation 

 (Of this law of climate, and that, too, in connection with the tenderest of our 

 fruits, — the ])each. On the warm, sandy soils of New Jersey and Delaware, 

 large quantities of peach trees of the finest quality are grown, — far finer and at 

 a much less cost than they can be grown by northern nurserymen. Hence the 

 latter purchase them largely and supply their customers. Their origin not 

 being known, their fine appearance makes them give good satisfaction. If the 

 planter loses a large per cent he, supposing they were grown by the firm of 

 whom he purchased, attributes it to some other cause. This practice cannot 

 l)e too greatly condemned. Here, again, applies our rule of avoiding cheap 

 trees. Another point to be considered is that of stock damaged by winter kill- 

 ing. This, when not killed entirely, has been headed back to the ground and 

 grown again, and is, apparently, as healthy as before. But may not this kill- 

 ing back permanently affect the health of the tree? 



Having no experience with this class of stock I cannot say, but speak of it 

 hoping to hear the subject discussed, as this would have an important bearing 

 as to where to get our trees. 



Having decided where to get our stock, we must look to the means of at- 

 taining it. If one lives near a reliable nursery, or is intending to plant largely, 

 probably his best plan will be to go and personally select his trees and see to 

 the packing and shipping. This will always prove satisfactory. Or he can 

 send his order by mail and have the order shipped to him. This in most 

 cases will do as well. Still another way is to order of traveling salesmen, who 

 are to be found in nearly all places every season. These are either dealers or 

 authorized agents, and it is not easy to distinguish between them. The latter 

 should always have certificates of late date of the firm they represent. The 

 dealers also sometimes have these when they are honest-dealing men. The 

 stock furnished by agents is true to name, but sometimes not of as good quality 

 as that delivered by dealers. The latter buy their stocks and have to stand 

 their own losses, hence they look well to the quality; but sometimes not car- 

 ing so much about the variety. Both dealers and agents deliver the stock 

 without extra expense, and if a person is planting but a small lot for family 

 use, this mode of obtaining trees will do as well as any. There is one class of 

 agents of whom all should beware, — those selling new varieties, which they 

 claim to be better than old, well-tried lots, and, of course, asking a much 

 higher price for them. 



A planter should also avoid those nurserymen that practice digging stock in 

 the fall and heeling it in out of doors over the winter. Some do this to a great 



