FRUIT CULTURE IN WISCONSIN. 
329 
the West, makes this precaution doubly necessary. Not until 
persons are willing to pay nurserymen remunerative prices for 
growing apple-trees as they should be, can we expect to get 
them ; and not until we have proven to ourselves, by experi¬ 
ence, that none but trees properly grown will succeed, will we 
be willing to pay satisfactory prices for a good article. First, 
see that you are not buying diseased trees, and know, if pos¬ 
sible, that they are from a wholesome stock ; which may be 
told by even a partially experienced eye. If the bark is rough 
and scaly, and the tree made but a few inches of growth the 
previous year, look sharp for the bark-louse, which is brown, 
of a scale-like character, and a tenth of an inch long. They 
adhere nearly as firmly to the bark as though they were part 
and parcel of the tree ; and it is next to useless to attempt to 
rid a tree of the depredators, after they have once taken pos¬ 
session of it. 
A thorough scraping of the tree’s body-surface, followed by 
a wash of strong ley, has its effects ; but with the utmost care, 
some will escape unharmed. The best remedy, and the only 
one really satisfactory, is to cut the trees down, and burn them 
upon their first appearance, ere they spread to neighboring 
trees. 
With care such trees can be avoided by purchasers, but lice 
are sometimes found upon orchards, hence the remedy is appli¬ 
cable. Also, be cautious against buying black-hearted trees. 
If the tree has a fair form, look well to the inner parts—use 
your knife freely in the nursery—better to cut a half dozen to 
your heart’s content, and pay for them, though you go away 
with none, than to plant an orchard of diseased trees. Like¬ 
wise, discard such as are “ tall and spindling”—mere whips. 
Don’t compare the price with the highth of the tree. See 
that it has had plenty of room to grow and spread its top, and 
is not u drawn up,” as green-house men say. 
Many are scoffing at cultivated trees,'and will have none but 
seedlings. I would say to all such, that they are not necessa¬ 
rily any more hardy than the first named, as there may be from 
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