Where To Buy

But one rule as to where to buy trees can be laid down.

Buy where you can secure the best trees and where you can be sure of

the most reliable and honest dealers. Beware of the tree agent, who

has been guilty of more dishonesty and misrepresentation than almost

any other traveling agent. Buy of a salesman under one condition only,

that he prove to you that he is the bona fide representative of a

well-known and reputable nursery firm, and then make your order

subject to investigation of the firm's standing and finding it as

represented.



The safest course is usually to purchase of your home nurseryman with

whose standing and honesty you are familiar, and whose trees you can

personally inspect. Such a man has a reputation at stake and will have

an object in keeping your trade. Moreover, you will save freight,

secure fresher stock with less liability of injury in handling, and

get trees grown under your own conditions. If stock is purchased away

from home it is better to get it at a nursery in a more southern

latitude in order to secure trees of better growth.



All trees should be purchased in the late summer or early fall when

the nurseryman has a full list of varieties and you can get the pick

of his stock. Select a well grown mature tree two years old from the

bud. One year old trees are preferred by many and if well grown and at

least five feet high they are probably best. But a one year old tree

is rather more delicate, requiring careful handling and intelligent

training. Unless a person buys from a southern nursery and is an

expert in handling trees, the two year old tree is to be preferred,

but a skilful grower can make a more satisfactory tree from a one year

old seedling.



The average buyer must depend largely on his nurseryman for getting

trees true to name, which is the reason for laying so much emphasis on

purchasing from an honest dealer. Some nurserymen guarantee their

varieties to be true to name, and all ought to do so. Buyers should

demand it. The seeds of the apple rarely come true to the variety

planted. They are therefore usually budded on one year old seedlings

imported from France. Sometimes they are whole or piece root grafted

which is equally as good a method of propagation.



It is possible for a man to grow and bud or graft his own seedlings,

but hardly advisable for the average small grower or general farmer,

as it is usually expensive when done on a small scale and requires

considerable skill. Always buy a high grade tree. Seconds are often

equally as good as firsts when they are simply smaller as a result of

crowding in the nursery row. A tree which is second grade because of

being stunted, crooked, or poorly grown should never be set. Thirds

are seldom worth considering at any price.