54 THE AMERICAN PEACH ORCHARD 



as one-year-old trees, but as a matter of fact they 

 are only half a year old. 



GRADES OF TREES 



Peach trees are graded in various ways. Some- 

 times they are offered as first grade, second grade 

 and third grade. In fact, this is a common method 

 of selling. Doubtless it is feasible for a nurseryman 

 to sort any block of trees into these three grades. 

 First grade would then mean the best trees ; second 

 grade would mean those of smaller size and less 

 well-branched tops ; third grade would mean those 

 which were still smaller and less symmetrical. Be- 

 low these three grades there should still be certain 

 culls to be thrown on the fire and burned. 



From the standpoint of the buyer, however, this 

 classification into first, second and third grades is 

 not satisfactory, and it has now been given up by 

 most wholesale handlers in favor of the classification 

 based strictly on the size of the tree. This is usu- 

 ally given with respect to the height. Trees will be 

 offered at 5 to 6 feet high at a certain price ; those 

 4 to 5 feet high constitute the next grade and are 

 offered at a very slightly lower price; those 3 to 

 4 feet high form another grade; those 2 to 3 feet 

 high another grade. Trees i to 2 feet high are sel- 

 dom offered, but are by no means unknown in the 

 trade. This grading into even feet is not recognized 

 as having any special significance. Indeed, nursery- 

 men often quote trees i^ to 3 feet high or 2^^ to 4 

 feet high according as their stock may justify. This 

 is the best basis on which to classify and buy trees. 



Sometimes the measurement is given from the 

 diameter of the stock just above the bud. Trees 

 4 to 5 feet high should caliper ^ to ^ inch and other 



