PLANTING AND CARE OF THE ORCHARD. 35 



Where to Buy. — As nursery stock cannot be fully judged by 

 its appearance as easily as many other lines of merchandise, 

 buyers are very dependent upon the representations made to 

 them by the parties from whom they purchase. As a rule, it is 

 desirable to buy of the nearest reliable man who will furnish 

 what is wanted at a fair price. Purchasers will often find it 

 advantageous to deal directly with the principal instead of 

 through his agent. Expect to pay a fair price and be suspicious 

 of bargain counter nursery stock, for the buyer in any case is 

 greatly dependent upon the honesty of the seller for the genuine- 

 ness of his stock. You cannot always tell what it is by its 

 appearance. It may not even be true to name. 



Selecting the Tree Nursery Stock. 



(a) It is important to secure vigorous, thrifty nursery stock 

 that is free from scale insects, root lice or other injurious insects 

 or diseases. 



(b) Select trees that have their bark green and smooth 

 and that have made a thrifty growth the year before. 



(c) In the case of grafted fruits the fruit grower should 

 insist upon having his stock worked on roots adapted to his 

 location. This feature does not need so much attention in the 

 best fruit sections, but in cold, northern climates, in the extreme 

 South and in some other locations it is a matter of first impor- 

 tance. This matter is discussed under the propagation of each 

 fruit. 



(d) In order to make early autumn delivery it is customary 

 in some nurseries to strip the leaves from the trees. This is not 

 the best practice and such trees should not be selected. 



Age of Nursery Stock to Buy. 



As a rule young, thrifty nursery stock is to be preferred. 

 The tendency among beginners is to use stock which is too old. . 

 Old plants are much more injured by moving than those that are 

 young and often give poorer results. 



Shapes of Trees. 



(a) The general public wants a tree that is of good form 

 and the nurserymen prefer to grow that kind. 



