122 Character of Nurserymen. [March, 



p, 



which he gave us, was, to place his thumb in a horizontal position 

 upon the end of his nasal organ, and permitted his four fingers to 

 stand up perpendicularly. Presuming that my friend had lost the 

 powers of speech, and had just come out of a dumb institution, we 

 bade him good morning and left. One of our country friends inform- 

 ed us afterward that liis plants was not worth three cents a thou- 

 sand. The fruit produced were about the size of marrowftit peas, 

 and as sour as white wine vinegar ! But it's a free country, and if 

 there is any more of the same sort left, just let them pitch in when 

 opportunity offers. 



Some of our farmers and horticulturists seem determined and con- 

 tent to grope their way through a long life in the dark. Everything 

 outside of the old beaten track is a humbug. Is there a remedy ? 

 Or shall we say as General Jackson did in a certain instance, that 

 * they should die off so that their wives could get better husbands.' 

 This might seem rather a killing consolation, but nevertheless it 

 would amount to a certain cure. 



But the next thing in order, is, to analyze, or notice briefly, the 

 peculiar characteristics which govern the 2'>^o-chasers of trees. Many 

 buyers in this line, approach a nurseryman as if he were a walking 

 encyclopedia, on the subject of fruits, flowers, vegetables, evergreens, 

 deciduous shrubs, shade trees, etc. ; and after occupying his time in 

 showing specimens, and answering questions for half a day, very 

 modestly take their departure, on leaving an order, the whole profits 

 of which did not compensate for the precious hours lost by the sell- 

 er; or perhaps they may have consoled the nurseryman by telling him 

 that in a few days they would call and leave their memorandum; but 

 which they take good care never to do. Of course, they are voted 

 incorrigible bores, and the nurseryman swears if they ever do call 

 again, that their boorishness shall make them the subject of a reg- 

 ular shave. 



The want of magnanimity in such people, and lack of a proper 

 discrimination as to the common courtesies and amenities due from 

 one citizen to another, render them very eligible subjects for skill- 

 ful shaving ; and they often get it done up in gallant style. Thanks 

 are then returned by loud imprecations upon the heads of all nur- 

 serymen. 



There is another class of buyers, always on the hunt for cheap 

 trees. They jew and screw to the last penny; and by making the 

 vender believe that competition is running very high — that some 



