22 BEGINNERS GUIDE TO FRUIT GROWING 



and somewhat better adapted to dwarf-growing 

 sour cherries. On this account, it is frequently 

 used. 



BUYING NURSERY STOCK 



When all has been said about the nursery propa- 

 gation of stock, and while it is understood that 

 such work is often intensely interesting to the ama- 

 teur, and while it is admitted that it may sometimes 

 be worth while, for special reasons, for the tree 

 planter, still the large fact remains that nursery 

 work can be done most economically and most suc- 

 cessfully by the experienced nurseryman. The 

 ordinary tree planter will find it is nearly always 

 best, easiest and cheapest to buy his young trees 

 of the man who makes propagation a profession. 

 A few suggestions on the buying of nursery stock 

 will really be of more practical value than any 

 amount of instruction in the methods of propagat- 

 ing nursery trees. 



First let us consider the question of locality. 

 There is a common prejudice in favor of buying 

 northern grown trees, the theory being that they 

 are hardier. This theory has no foundation what- 

 ever in fact. If there is any preference as between 

 northern and southern grown nursery fruit trees, 

 then, within reasonable limits, this preference is 

 all on the side of the southern product. The longer 

 growing season in the South gives opportunity for 

 the production of a larger, heavier tree; and this 

 larger and heavier tree makes the better growth 

 when it is set in the orchard row. 



A similar prejudice exists in favor of buying 

 locally grown trees, the argument advanced being 

 that they are better adapted to the local climate and 



