194 ANNUAL REPORT 



sin, who said he had known one gentlemen who had raised a 

 few peaches by bending the trees down and covering them 

 through the winter. As a rule peach trees would grow up in 

 the summer and kill down' every winter. As to the statement 

 that there were hardy peach trees it was enough to say that they 

 had not yet been discovered. 



Mr. Harris. They are trying to sell them down in Illinois 

 to the "suckers." 



Mr. J. M. Smith. In regard to May & Co. I would say that 

 two or three years ago a young man came to me wanting me to 

 help him into some business. He came with a letter from May 

 & Co. and asked me if I knew them. I told him I had met the 

 horticulturists of Minnesota and feared there was a screw loose 

 there somewhere, but was not positive. But they sent on their 

 printed recommendations, etc., and he was induced to act as 

 agent. Their prices were perfectly outrageous; for instance, 

 the Cuthbert raspberry, at two dollars and fifty cents a dozen. 

 I have tens of thousands that I would be glad to sell at a dollar 

 a hundred, as pretty as ever grew. We have been annoyed very 

 much with these tree peddlers in Wisconsin. I am glad to see 

 your Society taking measures of this kind and I shall certsilnly 

 recommend our society to follow your example at their 

 meeting in February next. We have some nurserymen in Wis- 

 consin whom you can rely upon. I have known them for years as 

 gentlemen and believe them to be upright, honorable men, who 

 will do as they agree. It is very amusing to see so many people 

 humbugged from year to year by these tramps that are running 

 around the country. 



Mr. Labbitt. I don't call it a humbug when I order a thing; 

 the humbug comes in in their clear "cheek." 



Mr. J. M. Smith. I have no objections to calling it by that 

 name, if you prefer it. 



Capt. Blakeley here referred to the methods followed by agents 

 forty years ago in Virginia and other states and said the experi- 

 ence of the states mentioned was a terrific one. 



Mr. Harris inquired if the legislature was asked to give the 

 Society $500 more to disseminate information among the people, 

 would not the statement be made that too much money was be- 

 ing exj)ended ? 



Mr. J. M. Smith. The farmers will not object provided they 

 get the books. 



Mr. Labbitt. I would rather pay a dollar tax to get men to 



