agent's visit brings the first suggestion that some fruit 
trees may be planted, and then the grower perhaps 
is induced to include in the order which he gives the 
agent some higli-priced novelties whose value is un- 
certain and whose adaptability to the conditions 
where they are to be planted is entirely unknown." 
"While many of the long-established nurseries sell 
their stock largely through agents whose integrity is 
unquestioned, many other nurseries have no traveling 
agents, but sell direct to purchasers. It is better, 
as a rule, for a grower to deal directly with a nursery- 
man rather than through an agent." 
"In selecting varieties a prospective planter should 
avail himself of the suggestions of experienced fruit 
growers in his community, the experiment station or 
the extension division of the college of agriculture in 
his own state, or the United States Department of 
Agriculture." 
"It is difficult to describe good nursery stock. A 
good root system is essential. A tree or bush, as a 
rule, should have several main roots and many smaller 
ones when received from the nursery. A large mass 
of very small hair-like roots which radiate from a 
common point suggest a disease called hairy-root; 
wartlike growths on the larger roots or on the main 
stem just below the surface of the ground indicate 
crown-gall. In either case the affected plant should 
be destroyed." 
"A plant or tree of medium size for the variety, if 
of suitable age, is usually preferable to a very large 
one. On the other hand, plants that are undersized 
are likely to have been stunted because of unfavorable 
conditions in the nursery, and not infrequently they 
prove very expensive in the end, even though the 
first cost is a little less than that of a better grade." 
"Other things being equal, it is well to purchase 
the stock from the nearest nursery. The character- 
istics of a variety with reference to hardiness, vigor 
and adaptability to conditions are inherent and are 
4 
