November 21, 1908 



HORTICULTURE 



669 



The Tree Buyer 



When the average person buys a tree, he looks for 

 size — he wants it tall, with a full sweeping head and 

 as large a caliper as he can get away with. The matter 

 of the roots is always a secondary consideration and it 

 would be a useless task to attempt to enlighten him on 

 the necessity of choosing a tree that has a good founda- 

 tion, regardless of the size above ground. The size of 

 the tree, lots of wood, and the price that he is obliged 

 to pay for it appeals too strongly. All trees are the 

 same to him, and as there is no great expense in grow- 

 ing them, he thinks, the price must be very low. When 

 he meets such conditions he buys his tree. 



To meet such requirements the nurseryman rises to 

 the occasion and to supply Mr. Bargainhunter with the 

 requisite amount of kindling wood he gives him a tree 

 that has been planted out for some seasons and which 

 has never enjoyed the benefits of a shift from the posi- 

 tion where it was first placed. When such a tree is 

 taken up, its roots may run yards off, with a few little 

 feeders at the ends of the straggling roots. This means 

 that the essential parts of the root system are destroyed 

 in digging, and the prospects of the tree living in its 

 new location lessened to a dangerous degree. This is 

 a sample of the field-grown beauty that is sold for a 

 very small price. Such a tree is shown in picture 

 number one. It had, as stated above, long rambling 

 roots and a paucity of fibre. 



To give a tree proper attention during the time of 

 its stay in the nursery costs money. This attention, 

 which applies to shifting, pruning, guarding from 

 pests, etc., cannot be given to trees that must be sold 

 for a few cents. 



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Illustration No. 2. 



A tree cared for will, after a few seasons, show- a mass 

 of tender feeding roots such as are shown in the second 

 picture. Such trees as these are sure to live if given a 

 semblance of fair treatmenl but they are never found 

 on the bargain counter. It is difficult to make people 

 understand the necessity of charging a reasonable price 

 for such a tree and with a knowing smile they will say, 

 "Tommy Rot," and take the cheaper tree. 



Evidences of these conditions are abundant through- 

 out the •country. Even if the tree is all that can be de- 

 sired it is often subjected to such rough treatment that 

 it cannot reestablish itself when shifted and after linger- 

 ing through a half-dead-and-alive existence for some 

 months, it dies out. 



Want of proper eare during the time of transit from 

 the nursery and after it is received at its destination is 

 the cause of this. A tree left with its roots exposed to 

 drying winds is sure to suffer. Even when properly 

 packed but allowed to lay about an express office and on 

 an express team any longer than is absolutely necessary 

 the same is true. 



During years' experience with a free tree distribution 

 at the Boston City Greenhouses the greatest difficulty 

 was experienced in getting the recipients of the trees 

 to understand that the trees must be planted imme- 

 diately and, what was more difficult for their compre- 

 hension, not too deep. In many cases inspection 

 showed trees buried to the depth of three feet. 



The object of this little screed is to insist upon the 

 fact that a good tire i- never sold for a plugged silver 

 piece, and to impress upon the nurseryman the pre- 

 valent public ignorance on the subject of tree planting 

 and his duty in consequence. 



Illustration No. 1. 



