Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-04-11
"Traveling Frauds -


headings, several papers of Oregon
are bewailing some of the tricks
perpetrated, last Fall, by those
bland and polite agents who were
canvassing the whole length of this
part of the coast in the interest of
so-called Eastern nurseries. These
men were equipped with gaudily
printed catalogues, exhibiting every
thing in tho line of fruit and orna-
mental trees, shrubbery, flowers,
bulbs, etc. Notwithstanding the
timely warnings given by the press,
from Portland to Victoria, the spur
ious agents succeeded in driving a
! lucrative business throughout the
Willamette valley and the Puget
Sound country. 1t seems that some
of the Victoria people were heart
lessly swindled in their desire to
stock their gardens and front yards
with rare and beautiful specimens of
Towering shrubs.
Now we are aware that neither
Oregon Ior the Puget Sound coun-
try are without quite extensive and
well stocked nurseries, owned and
superintended by well-informed and
responsible men. These establish
ments are sending forth, every year,
hundreds and thousands of the very
best improved fruit trees to all parts
of the coast. If customer desires
any Eastern variety, of quality
not common here, he has but to leave
lis order with our nurserymen and
it will be filled without let or him
drance as soon as the packages can
be transported across the continent;
and when the trees, shrubs or bulbs
arrive, the purchaser can rest as
sured that he has received precisely
what he ordered. These are yalua-
BILE considerations and should not be
lost sight of by our farmers, fruit
dealers and horticulturalists. 1t is
no exaggeration to say that many
thousands of dollars go into the
pockets of professional nursery
swindlers every year, from this part
of our coast.
Unfortunately for people of other
wise good sense, there is a foolish
charm about everything that is far
fetched and dearly bought; and on
this principle only can we explain
the unbusiness-like freaks of which
we have been speaking. If our home
institutions and establishments lack
any essential element, it may be
safely said that it is solely and only
on account of the fact that they are
not properly encouraged by the pat
ronage which is Justly their due; a
patronage, too, which is not only
withheld but often sent out of the
country to further enrich the very
nonopolies which are draining the
pockets of our people without any
adequate value received.
Read what the Portland Standard
says in this connection:
Last Fall the valley was secured from
one end to the other by travelling frauds
disposing of fruit trees from heightened
Eastern nursery, as they claimed. A great
many farmers made purchases, although
warned, expecting something nice. The
saplings, roots and bulbs were received in
due course of time, but they have in most
cases proven to be otherwise than what
was represented by the agents. 1t is time
that the people were guarding themselves
against the Vaccinations of pretenders
from foreign chimes, who are becoming as
thick as flies in Summer time.
But another season is approach
ing, and we shall see whether, in the
meantime, our people have added
anything to their stock of wisdom.
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