250 CITRUS FRUITS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



PURCHASING TREES. 



Citrus nursery stock matures in autumn and is put 

 on the market during the winter months November to 

 March. Whether for winter or summer planting, the trees 

 should be purchased in good season. Then there will be 

 fewer disappointments. Buy in September or October 

 at latest. "First come, first served," is true in purchas- 

 ing nursery trees, but it is equally true that he who comes 

 first will be best served. Generally speaking, the supply 

 of nursery stock in California and Florida is inadequate 

 to the demand and may continue to be so for several 

 seasons to come. 



As a general rule it is best to purchase directly from 

 the nurseryman. Beware of the unaccredited tree peddler 

 as you would of the very devil ! The expression may not be 

 elegant, but it contains the soundest advice. A legitimate 

 nursery business may be done through properly accredited 

 agents, but too frequently it is difficult to obtain definite 

 information regarding the kind of stock, and where it is 

 grown. Should a mistake of any kind occur in deal- 

 ing with a responsible nurseryman, he will always be 

 found willing to rectify it, but if a mistake be made 

 through an agent, the responsibility is too frequently 

 shifted. 



If possible, visit the nursery. See the conditions 

 under which the trees are grown, make a thorough inspec- 

 tion and select the trees desired. Become personally ac- 

 quainted with the nurseryman. Buy only from those of 

 good repute. In most cases there are no marks by which 

 the genuineness of a variety may be known and in the 

 end the only assurance the planter can have that the 

 stock is true to name, is the truth and honesty of the man 

 from whom he purchases. Fortunate is the nurseryman 



