Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-11-19
Encouraging Tree Peddlers.


We receive many complaints annually
respecting the operations of tree ped
oilers who represent themselves as agents
of this or that wellknown nursery In
spite OF the swindling that has been per-
petrated by this class of men it is an
open question whether upon the whole
they cave not done more good than harm
to the community. The smooth tongues
and beautiful picture books have GER
tainly induced many farmer to plant a
good orchard which otherwise would
have not existed, and if a portion of the
trees did turn out to be entirely different
from what their labels indicated, they
have given fruit which Is far better than
none. Ii everybody subscribed for and
read agricultural and horticultural peri
odicals, keeping themselves well in
formed in regard to genealogical matters,
dishonest tree peddlers would have a
sorry time in obtaining orders for their
wares; but most people neglect to do this,
and therefore the greater the opportuni-
ties for men to make money who are not
strictly honest.
Then again some men never move,
even in the direction which duty to them
selves and their families plainly indi-
Gates, unless talked into it, and it being
the special forte of good peddler to
talk well he is therefore valuable mem
Der of society, forcing some men to do
their duty in part if not wholly Tree
peddlers will be particularly active dur
ing the next few weeks and it is safe to
be a little cautious in regard to giving
them orders, no matter from what estab-
lishment they may come or how well
recommended
1t is not asking too much of stranger
who desires to sell you an article pur-
porting to have been raised in the estab-
lishment of John Jones to show his
credentials from that firm. Any man
who hesitates to do this may be set down
as an impostor, and the fewer dealings
one has with him the better. The exhib-
ting of the catalogues of John Jones
nursery stock is no proof of the ex-
hibitor being an agent, because it is
very easy matter TO obtain supply of
catalogues from any dealer who pub
fishes one. We mention this point in
particular because we have known tree
peddlerS who were ready to represent
themselves to be the agent of any firm
which a customer was likely to favor,
and who were never at loss to have
the catalogue of said firm carefully
slowed away in the hand sachel carried
along for this purpose.
A man may take orders for nursery
stock and then purchase it wherever it
can be had the cheapest or best in quail
ity and serve his customers as well as
though it was all obtained from one es-
Enlistment; but should there be any
mistakes made in filling the orders it will
be very difficult to trace them to any
responsible source. 1t Is also just here
that the worst feature of this entire nurs-
cry agent business crops out; it may be
summed up in the two words mo res
possibility" Not one nursery establish
ment in dozen will hold itself respon-
sible for the acts of it's agents, and this
is another re ason why we advise farmers
when considering the propriety of deal
ing with stranger soliciting orders, to
examine his credentials carefully and see
whether they mean something or moth
ing. A man cannot be too careful in
purchasing trees, the true value OF which
is only to be ascertained years hence
when they begin bearing fruit. Life is
not long enough to admit of many mis-
takes or swindlcs of this kind. Besides,
the cost of a choice variety at the nurs-
cry or of its after culture is no greater
than that of the inferior or worthless
ones.
Again we warn farmers against being
tempted to purchase plants or trees with
no better recommendation than hand
some picture of them, probably got up
expressly for the use Of peddlers, be-
cause, while it may be true to the life,
the variety depicted may be entirely un-
suited to the locality where it is offered
for sale by the agent. Apples, pears, or
other fruits which are well adapted to
the climate and soil of Kentucky might
be worthless in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Upon the whole it is far better to send
orders direct to the nurseries than to deal
with travelling agents, unless they are
men known to be trustworthy.
Under the new order of things it is to
be hoped that the Patrons of Husbandry
will take this matter in hand and help to
secure more accurate knowledge in re-
gard to varieties best adapted to particu-
lar localities, as well rs to the age and
size of the trees best fitted for planting.
There is room for great work in this
direction, and If the Order will compel
all men with whom 1t has any business
to deal honestly, its influence cannot fail
to be highly appreciated by all classes Of
our people.-Neo York Sun.