Substitution of Varieties. 237 
be the best channels through whom small orders can 
be secured by those who are uninformed in pomo- 
logical matters, all persons who expect to go into 
fruit-growing seriously should buy directly of the 
nurseries. But it must always be remembered that 
the tree agent has been the means of clothing the 
country with fruit trees, and of thereby adding much 
to the contentment of farm life. 
The buyer should make up his mind just what 
varieties he wants, and then find the nursery which 
has them, and order early enough to get them. 
There is then no occasion to consider the vexed ques- 
tion of substitution of varieties. If the varieties are 
not in market, buy stocks of some strong- growing, 
staple variety, and after these are established—usually 
the spring or summer of the next year—bud or graft 
over the tops to the desired varieties. 
THE SETTING OF THE PLANTS. 
When to plant.—There is much difference of 
opinion as to the relative merits of fall and spring 
planting. The writer’s opinion is that fall planting 
is generally preferable to spring planting upon thor- 
oughly drained soils, particularly for the hardy tree 
fruits, like apples, pears and plums; and if the 
ground is in good condition and the stock well ma- 
tured, peaches can sometimes be set in October, even 
in the northern states, with success. The advantages 
of fall planting are several. The trees become estab- 
lished during the open weather of fall, and they usu- 
