INTRODUCTION. 
Established by lohn Morse, in J847. 
After many years of hard work and careful observation, 
we have come to believe that two chief causes of so many short 
lived, sickly and unfruitful trees are, — ist, A forced growth in 
the early life of the plant, and 2d, the indiscriminate cutting of 
scions and buds from the young trees in the nursery row without 
any knowledge of their constitutional vigor or fruiting qualities. 
Propagating from trees of known fruitful habits and Consti- 
tutional Vigor. This cannot be practiced altogether, but in many 
cases I follow this practice of cutting my buds from fruiting trees 
on my own grounds, and sometimes going many miles from home 
to secure buds from certain strains which have shown early fruit- 
ing habits. This is what I mean by well Guarded Parentage, 
called by some "tree breeding." By this process we are more 
likely to get strong Constitutional qualities, and trees of early 
fruitful habits. The form and comeliness of a tree are good 
points, but should not be gained at the expense of destroying its 
constitution by too much nitrogen to push its growth. A tree or 
plant may be ruined by forcing its growth in early life. 
A tree of weak constitution, from any cause whatever, is 
much more subject to attack from insect pests than a tree consti- 
tutionally strong. 
Ttiere is notlling that will so shock a tree as to stimulate 
it to an unnatural, forced growth up to the time of transplanting, 
and then remove it to a soil, the fertility of which is much weak- 
er, causing the tree or plant to practically stand still a year or 
more, by which it receives a shock from which it is difficult to 
recover. 
After transplanting to the orchard where the tree is to re- 
main, we advise fertilizers of such a character as the soil and tree 
may require, and applied at such times as not to produce growth 
late in the season, as the wood should be well ripened and hard- 
ened before going into winter. 
Our stocliS, upon which our diiTerent varieties are worked, 
are selected with the greatest care, looking to the hardiness and 
longevity of the tree. 
Trees Properly Developed are Constitutionally Strong. 
Such stock we offer. We promise to save you disappointment 
if you will buy stock of a sturdy character, started primarily with 
a view to long life and hardiness, consequently more likely to be 
productive. 
You say no argument in this? Do not be too sure. Listen 
while men talk who are acknowledged authority. 
From PROF. L. H. B.AILKY, Cornon University, Ithaca, N. Y. 
H. S_. WiLKY, Ih'tir .Sir: I am fully convinced that tlie initial vigor of a tree has much to 
do witli its snbseciuent beiiavior. I am fjlad to see you emphasizingr the importance of a 
gfood constitution in trees. 
