46 



The danger of getting diseased trees is now reduced to the 

 minimum by an effective nursery inspection. It forms, however, a 

 strong basis of complaint by buyers against nurserymen. In most 

 cases diseases are probably introduced in some other way. Though 

 there is no doubt some danger, it is one of the lesser of the tree 

 buyer's troubles. 



Another cause of complaint is that trees received from the nur- 

 sery are improperly headed. Nurserymen it is true have been slow 

 to accept the idea of low headed trees for very good business rea- 

 sons on their part. Nursery stock is planted close. The tendency 

 is therefore for trees to head high. Low headed trees require more 

 room, thus fewer trees per acre. Most nurserymen can supply low 

 headed trees if desired. The trouble too often is that the buyer 

 neglects to specify his preference in the order. Yearling trees are 

 always to be had and present the advantage of allowing the buyer 

 to form the head as he chooses. 



The substitution of varieties is a practice indulged in even with 

 some of our most reliable nursery firms and is the cause of much 

 dissatisfaction. It is not to be expected that a firm will carry every 

 variety of fruit grown, but they should carry every variety they 

 catalogue. If the order is placed early and no notice is sent that the 

 order cannot be filled to the letter, the buyer supposes that no vari- 

 eties will be substituted. If, when the order is received, it is found 

 that substitutions have been made the firm should be wired at once 

 and a settlement demanded. In case it is too late or it is otherwise 

 impossible to obtain the desired variety that season, damages could 

 probably be collected. 



On the other hand the buyer may delay his order until late in 

 the planting season and then order his trees shipped at once. Under 

 such conditions the nurserymen cannot do justice to the order 'and the 

 buyer can have but little cause for complaint if the trees are not 

 satisfactory. 



In ordering trees the following directions, if observed, will go 

 far toward eliminating many unpleasant experiences : 



( 1 ) Order direct from a firm of good standing which grows its 

 own stock or has it grown on contract. 



(2) Buy of your local nurseryman if he fulfills these conditions. 



(3) Place your orders early. 



(4) State specifically just what you want both as to the varie- 

 ties, and style and class of stock. Don't leave any room for sup- 

 position. 



(5) Give expHcit shipping directions, and state just when you 

 wish stock delivered. 



(6) Remember that the purchase price of trees is a small part 

 of the orchard cost. A few dollars extra spent for trees, if it will 

 purchase just what you want, will be well spent. 



(7) Make it your business to see that trees are not delayed in 

 transit. 



(8) Carry out your part of the contract by seeing that the trees 

 are well cared for on arrival and that they are properly planted. 



That there is dissatisfaction with ordinary grown nursery stock 

 cannot be denied and many growers are casting about for a means 

 of overcoming these troubles. Then, too, there is a growing desire 



