New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-23
THE ELIASEs' LAST DODGE.
FRENCH FRUIT SWEDLERS.
LAFAYETTE & co. AGAIN-MOROCCO CHESTNUTS
MAX EEAES AND STRAMEEERY TREEs.

LAFAYETTE & co. AGAIN-MOROCC0 CnESTNUTS,
WAX PEARS AND STRAWBERRY TREES.
The agent of Lafayette Il Co.'s Great
Paris House still offers TO simpetons aud credulous
thusiaSts blue peaches without stones, and
other absurdtes, with degree of eIOntery that is
most astonishing. TIE 1EBUNE's exposure OF the
swindo damaged his trade mate iay but customers
attracted 10y LIS prctontious circulars stl avail them
selves of fanCed opportunity for procuring rare
plants" The manager urcd TRIBUNE reporter, yes
terday that he had just received from Paris several ad
ditiona cases of the blue and perpetual
blooming varieties, and also many rare bulbs In
answer to inquiries concerning the botanical
name of his Arc &c 1riOmphe," he replied:
"Ah! that is just where our secret Is; If we
should give the botanical names Of Onr plants oar bu
ness would be ruined for eyerybo would begin %
raise them and the market would soon Dc OVcfrun."
Letters from Durserymen in the country were shown.
soliciting information in regard TO the French mode
of horticulture and asking for wholesale prices The
manager said that it would do 70 answer these
letters should sell his stock 70 these dealers the
different varieties which lie had would become com
mon that when he TO New York next year there
would be demand for them. Among thcse letters
was one from a man who wished to purchase cherry
trees which, according TO The circular luced cherries
so large that four OF them weighed pound These
trees the agent sad very and he had resolved
sell them only 70 those who applied personally and
who appeared anxious 10 obtain them. TIE trees
very small and the price uYersey large.
The chestnut trees from Morocco. which he claims will
produce chestnuts in large pouches, quart in eachwcre
pronounced by Trustworthy hortcuurst or this city
10 be nothing more than common American horse chest
nut trees which can be purchased in nurseries for 50
dozen instead OF S. apiece. Wax pears he exhibits IN
abundance, and he had called the attention Oi T.
r. Quinn these "cuiiUsities OF horticulture, "a he
was pleased TO them lie proceeded 10 eucdate
great length the subject OF pear culture, 10 his salts
faction n not the satisfaction OF his auditor. THE
III q !.
jeremiah Hoops, bOtanst, alter examining ihe trees,
affirmed that they but species 0l Wild ldur 4,
which Is quite common in American woods.
IL appears that this French swlnder has lived III This
country for long time ana mas NOT been France for
number of years He formerly carried tins business
at No. 7Gi Broadway, hut N the latter pr. Oi January
he removed to the store which he now occupies II is
believed by those who have examined his stock that
the trees plants which ne Offer; for sale
raised in bat that they merely the refuse OF
American frlt nurseries With this worthless rubbish
his in trade and with the confidence that his
drafts upon the crcduy OF amateur florists viii lie duly
hOnOred, this absurd mpOstOr adNcrtsc- nus trade 10y
remarks Ike this: These strawberry Trees, sir. viii
produce strawberries that weigh from IOr to SIX
pounds and about the size OF large D0t' ness pear