108 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



agents. Where, however, these agents are the accredited represen- 

 tatives 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 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 aft- 

 erwards to deliver trees of a different kind. To do this is a misde- 

 meanor 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. On the other hand, stunted trees are not, as a rule, worth 

 planting, for a stunted tree, like a stunted calf, often does not make 

 a good after-growth. 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 select trees of good 

 medium size, straight and healthy. In judging size, however, 

 one must take California and not Eastern standards, because 

 our nursery stock, if well grown, invariably is of much 

 greater size than Eastern. If the visit is during the digging 

 season, ask to see samples of the roots as well as the tops and do 

 not purchase trees unless the roots are healthy looking and free 

 from knots or excresences. Gnarly and knotty roots in the young 

 tree are a sure sign of insect pests or of unhealthy growth, and 

 planting such trees has occasioned our orchardists immense loss. 

 Many have been led into purchasing poor trees because they may be 

 had cheap. A tree selected merely because it is cheap may prove 

 the most expensive thing a man can put in the ground. 



Guarding Against Insects. The top of the tree should be care- 

 fully examined to discover scale insects if there be any. For this 

 purpose a hand-magnifier should be used. Such a glass should 

 always be in the fruit grower's pocket. One can be bought at 

 any optician's for a dollar or two, which will fold into its case so as 

 to be carried without scratching. Our nurserymen, by forsaking old 

 infested locations and obtaining new ground, now sell much cleaner 

 trees than they did years ago. But still it is well to be always on 

 the watch for pests. Disinfection of nursery stock is now officially 

 provided. Details of treatment will be given in the chapter on 

 injurious insects. 



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



