96 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



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 hav- 

 ing the wire in the way while filling 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-established 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 represent- 

 atives 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 reso- 

 lutely avoided, no matter what inducements 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.* 



The State of California also endeavors to protect planters by 

 enabling them to ascertain responsibility of nurserymen. The law of 

 1917 requires that any person who handles nursery stock for plant- 

 ing or propagation within this State shall register with the State 

 Commissioner of Horticulture, and all shipments by such licensee 

 shall have his license number affixed to the package. Planters 

 should preserve all such evidence of responsibility in case occasion 

 should arise for reference to it. 



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. 



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



