CHOOSING TREES FOR PLANTING 97 



is being placed about the roots ; and this will bring the tree exactly 

 where the stake was originally. If the stakes are properly put in line, 

 so will bej the trees. 



These setters are described as they are used when the hole is dug 

 and the tree set at the same time. Such is the ordinary practice in 

 planting. If one wishes to dig the holes beforehand, it is necessary 

 to furnish more stakes, as two have to be left beside each hole to mark 

 the position of the setter when the planting is done. Besides its use 

 in bringing a tree into line, the tree setter enables one to judge of 

 the depth of setting as compared with the surface of the surrounding 

 ground. It is not easy to determine this with the eye if the hole be a 

 large one. Where the measuring wire is used to set the stakes, it 

 is sometimes stretched across again after the holes are dug, the tags 

 on the wire thus indicating the places for the trees of the whole row. 

 The trouble with this practice is the bother >of having the wire in the 

 way while rilling and tramping the earth around the roots. 



SELECTING TREES 



In the purchase of trees it is well to patronize nurserymen in your 

 own district, providing they are honest and intelligent men, who keep 

 themselves informed as they should about their business. The advice 

 of such a local nurseryman is often of great value to the newcomer, 

 for he will know by his experience and observation much about the 

 adaptations of fruits and varieties thereof to the region. If, for any 

 reason, local nurseries do not meet your needs, seek some well-estab- 

 lished nursery at a distance. It is much safer to deal directly with 

 the grower of the trees than to patronize traveling agents. Where, 

 however, these agents are the accredited representatives of well-known 

 establishments, they may save the planter time and trouble by taking 

 his order for him. So-called "tree-peddlers," who are jobbers in 

 trees and in too many cases send you refuse trees which they pick up 

 cheap wherever they can, and label them to suit, without respect to 

 truth or honesty, should be resolutely avoided, no matter what in- 

 ducements or blandishments they may offer. 



The California legislature of 1907 passed a law making it unlaw- 

 ful to sell fruit trees representing them to be a certain kind and 

 afterwards to deliver trees of a different kind. To do this is a mis- 

 demeanor punishable by fine and imprisonment. Action may be begun 

 at any time within seven years after the date of delivery .of such trees.* 



It is desirable, if possible, to visit the nursery and see the stock 

 which is to be furnished. The trees should have a good healthy look, 

 with clean bark, and of size enough to indicate a good, free growth. 

 The matter of size is not the only point to consider, for size of the 

 top is not so desirable as well-matured wood and plenty of roots. 

 Stunted trees are not, as a rule, worth planting. There are cases, 

 however, in which, by extra cultivation in good soil, fine trees have 

 been grown even from "culls" from the nursery. The best rule is to 



*Statutes and amendments to the Codes, 1907; chapter 229. 



