^REES ^ ^ ^ 
Constitutionally STRO NG, therefore 
Long-lived and Sturdy, 
AGAINST 
TREES ^ <Jt 'Jt 
Constitutionally WEAK, Short-lived, 
Sickly and Unproductive. 
Do not miss a Ulord of tDis treatise. 
After many years practical work and most care- 
ful observation we are absolutely certain that the 
chief cause of so many short-lhied, sickly and U7i- 
fruitful trees is caused by improper plant food in 
the early life of the tree. 
Long since we discarded the use of com- 
mercial and other fertilizers in startijig our trees and 
plants, as having a most disastrous effect on the long 
life, hardihood and fruitfulness of trees. 
A Tree of weak constitution from any cause 
whatever, is much more subject to attack from in- 
sect pests than a tree constitutionally hardy. 
There is notkinsi that will so shock a tree as to 
stimulate it to an unnatural./frtv^/ growth up to the 
time of transplanting and then remove it to a soil, the 
fertility of which is much weaker, causing the tree 
or plant to practically stand still a year or more ; by 
which it receives a shock, from which it is diflficult to 
recover. 
After transplanting to the orchard where the tree 
is to remain, we advise fertilizers of such a character 
as the soil and tree may require, and applied at such 
^v, times as not to produce growth late in the season, 
as the wood should be well ripened and hardeneB 
before going into winter. 
Our stocks, upon which our different varieties are 
worked, are selected with the greatest care, lookipg 
to the hardiness and longevity of the tree. 
THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE. 
L. H. Bailey, Professor of Horticulture. 
C. E. Hunn, Gardener. 
Ithaca, N. Y., November i8. 1897. 
Wiley & Co., Cayuga, N. Y.; 
Dear Sirs : — I am very fuUv convinced that the 
initial vigor and health of a tree has a good deal to 
do with its subsequent performance. I believe, also, 
that the character of the tree from which the buds or 
scions are taken has much to do with the vigor and 
productiveness of the resulting stock. I am glad to 
see nurserymen emphasizing the importance of a 
good constitution in trees. I fear that we have been 
too long deceived by mere comeliness and size of 
stock. Yours very truly, L. H. Bailey. 
DELAWARE COLLEGE AGRICULTURAL EX- 
PERIMENT STATION. 
DEFAI!T.MIi.\-r OK HORTICULTURE AND ENTOMOLOGY. 
G Harold Powell, Horticulturist and Entomologist. 
Newark, Del., November 23d, 1897. 
Wiley & Co., Cayuga, N. Y. : 
Dear Sirs ; — I have noted what you say about the 
necessit)' of forming a good constitution in young 
trees, and I think you are entirely right. The consti- 
tution of a tree is given it first by an inheri- 
tance from the parent plant from which the 
bud was taken, and then by the conditions 
in which the resulting tree is placed during its devel- 
opment. An overgrown tree or a starved tree, like 
an overgrown calf, is liable to show some weakness 
as it develops. 
Yours very truly, G. Harold Powell. 
STATE OF NEW YORK. 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
F. E. Dawley, Director. 
Fayetteville, N. Y. , November 20th, 1897. 
Wiley & Co., Cayuga. N. Y.: 
Gentlemen ; — I am thoroughly convinced that you 
are on the right line in trying to grow trees that have 
got good strong constitution. I fear that in these 
days of lovs^prices and" "bargain day" sales of nursery 
stock, th'af Tar too many growers are apt to attempt 
to get quick growth at the expense of vitality, and 
we ail know that when a young animal or a young 
plant has been forced unnaturally, the result is sure 
to be disastrous. From careful investigations I am 
led to believe that the "lake region" of Central New 
York is naturally an ideal spot for growing young- 
trees, both as regards climate and soil, and your place 
is certainly well located in this region. The trees I 
bought from you last spring are doing well. Did not 
lose one out of the lot. 
Yours very truly, F. E. Dawley. 
ORANGE COUNTY, N. Y. 
Your stock gives good satisfaction. My neighbors 
who tried your stock are well pleased with same. 
W. C. Hart. 
The stock bought of you has grown remarkably 
well. Expect to give you another order in the spring. 
John G. Van Duzer. 
If your trees do not grow it will be no fault of 
yours. They arrived in fine condition. J.S.Eaton. 
I am verv much pleased with stock you sent me. 
J. W. Decker. 
Enclosed find check for your bill, $21.41. Every- 
thing arrived in good order. Wm. H. Hallock. 
ULSTER COUNTY, N. Y. 
The Apple and Pear trees sent us are the finest we 
ever bought. James R. Clarke. 
Send me 80 more just such Pear trees as those you 
sent first. A. B. Clarke. 
Stock came to hand to-day all O. K. Well pleased. 
(800 trees.) L. J. Hasbrouck. 
GREENE COUNTY, N. Y. 
Enclosed find my check to your order for $90.27. 
We think well of your stock. The trees are straight 
and well developed at both ends. Shall be happy to 
see Mr. Wiley when he comes this way. 
■ F. C. Griffin. 
I.enfilpse my ohtck foi" ■$88.25; amount 6f ■youi' bill. 
All satisf^ctpry. ., . . .. V. J. Miller, • 
DUTCHESS COUNTY, N. Y. 
Enclosed find my check for the 1800 Apple trees 
• irdered. They arrived in fine condition, and were 
very satisfactory. They were not only of good size 
and appearance, but, what ii more, they showed a 
natural, healthy growth, and perfect root develop- 
ment, which will give them long life and vigor here- 
after. Your claim of healthy — not forced— vigor is 
fully carried out in the stock you sent. 
W. H. Hart. 
Note. — The above letter refers to the 35 acre apple 
orchard set this spring by Mr. Hart, the so-called 
Apple Kitit; of Dutchess County. We feel compli- 
mented in receiving this order from the most practi- 
cal apple grower in this state. W. & Co. 
The 400 Apple trees arrived in good condition. 
We consider them a good lot of trees. 
G. D. & T. Brill. 
COLUMBIA COUNTY, N. Y. /i^ 
The fruit trees I bought of you arrived in g«tf^^ 
shape. Am well pleased. Think them as good a loll^P^ 
as 1 ever set, and I have set a good many thousand 
in the last few years. L. L. Morrell. 
Gentlemen ; — The trees were received in time, and 
in excellent condition. The Greenin? trees were 
particularly fine, as were the Plums and Cherries. 
The wo d when the trees were cut back showed clear 
and solid, indicating to my mind that they had not 
been unduly forced in the nursery row. They also 
had a good root system. 
Very truly, Edward Van Alstyne. 
Orchard Farm, November i8th, 1897. 
Wiley & Co. :— There is force and truth in the 
statement that trees have constitutional qualities as 
men, weak or strong. A well grown tree that has 
good root development, which will produce a thrifty, 
vigorous stem and branches, is worth much more for 
all time in its productiveness than one of poor root 
development. Vour method of propagating and 
growing trees is certainly on the right principle, as 
your stock shovt's. Very truly, Geo. T. Powell. 
Trees came all right, an,d were a fine lot. I have 
bought, a great many trees, but yours take the lead 
over all others. J'as. W. Dingman. 
Trees arrived April iSth (some 650). They were 
very fine, and arrived in good condition. While I 
paid you full catalogue price I made a saving of 
nearly $60.00 compared with prices made me bv 
other parties. W. N. Smith. 
RENSSELAER COUNTY, N. Y. 
The trees you sent in this neighborhood gave uni- 
versal satisfaction. My 600, and the 200 subse- 
quently ordered, were the finest trees I ever planted, 
and I have bought and set thousands of them. 
John Steele. 
I am more and more pleased with the stock you 
sent me. I only regret that I did not get all my 
trees from you. Every one is growing ; do not think 
I will lose one out of the 500. Chas. Franklin. 
We can refer you to hundreds of customers through 
the Hudson River Valley who plant our stock. The 
^bove mentioned are just a few of the principal 
powers. 
^n^cu intend planting, write us. We do not em- 
^^^S^nts. 
^CONSTITUTIONAL HARDINESS. 
Kennebec Co., Me., May ist, 1897. 
Wiley & Co. : 
Gentlemen ; — Some ten years ago we began dealing 
with you, the first order being 300 Baldwins in 
spring of 1887. We have planted more or less every 
spring since. At first we did not take much stock 
in your argument of constitutional hardiness, 
but we have learned that for some reason your 
trees stand the severity of our cold winters bet- 
ter than any other stock we have ever tried, and we 
now have many hundred of your trees in bearing, 
and they always come true to name. 
Jennings Bros. 
POMONA, CALIFORNIA. 
Trees arrived in good condition, book my order for 
5,000 more. W. M. Burnett. 
Worcester Co. , Mass. 
Trees came to hatid in excellent condition. 
Maria Acosta; 
