The Bulletin. 33 



only grow a limited number of trees, or who do not make it a regular 

 business, who may have most excellent stock at low prices. Remember 

 that we are not advising against these. It is not the cheapness of price 

 in itself which we warn you against, but it is the poor quality of trees 

 that you are likely to get when they are offered at such cheap prices. 

 There are some nurseries whose stock is always so poor, neglected and 

 scrubby that they are obliged to sell at a low price. If you are going 

 to neglect the trees — do not intend to cultivate, fertilize, prune or spray 

 them — then a poor tree is about as good as a first-class one, for jou 

 simply take your chances in either case. But if you want good, thrifty, 

 well-shaped, profitable trees, you must expect to pay the price, and you 

 cannot afford to order trees from the man offering the lowest prices 

 simply on account of the cheapness. If you know that they are first- 

 class trees, then cheapness is not objectionable, but it is cheaper in the 

 end to pay a high price for a first-class tree than to receive diseased trees 

 as a gift. But do not fail to give the trees good attention after they are 

 set. Cultivate, fertilize, prune and spray them. If this is done intel- 

 ligently, and good trees are planted in the first place, good results 

 should be secured. Remember, therefore, that it is better to order where 

 you feel sure of getting good stock, even at high prices, than to buy cheap 

 trees at the risk of getting poor stock. 



Buy Young Trees. — There is a growing tendency among fruit growers 

 to buy young stock, only one year from the bud or graft. This allows 

 the grower to shape the tree as he pleases by cutting back or pruning. 

 This plan is safer, also, so far as San Jose Scale is concerned, because 

 the older the stock becomes in the nursery, the more liable to be infested 

 with San Jose Scale. Hence you run less risk if you buy young trees. 



Order Direct. — Large nurseries usually employ agents, who sell either 

 on commission or for a fixed salary. As a general rule it is betterto 

 order your trees direct from the nursery, and not to place the order with 

 an agent. Of course, there are many agents who are perfectly honorable, 

 probably as high a percentage as in any other line of business, but most 

 of us know that there are dishonest ones, and it is well not to give your 

 order to a man about whom you are in doubt. At least, never patronize 

 an agent who has no price list or catalogue of his firm as evidence of 

 his stability or the reliability of his firm. Make sure that he represents 

 a duly licensed nursery, which can be ascertained by writing to this 

 office. If there is in your vicinity a man whom you know well and who 

 has for a long time conducted -an honorable agency, then patronize him ; 

 but we do caution you against buying from any and every agent who 

 comes to your door and with whom you are not acquainted. "We believe 

 it is best to deal with the nearest nurseryman known to you to be reliable 

 and on whom you can depend to furnish the desired stock, fumigate 

 it, etc. 



Varieties. — Just Avhat varieties to plant is always a perplexing ques- 

 tion. It will vary according as you want fruit for home use or market, 

 local market or shipping, etc., etc. A good nurseryman will help you 

 make a suitable selection. If there is a successful fruit grower in your 

 neighborhood, talk the matter over with him. Or you may write to the 

 State Department of Agriculture, or Experiment Station (both located 

 at Raleigh), and ask advice. 



