Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-06-11
The TREE AGENT.

Ii Is surprising at this late day to SET
how readily hundreds, yes, thousands,
OF well informed farmers will part with
their hard earned dollars TO help fill the
pockets of the middlemen In certain
branches of trade, when there Is posi-
lively no excuse for such losses. But
the most surprising OF all Is to see how
many of our intelligent, and to all ap-
pearances well posted fruit growers and
farmers viii still persist in buying their
nursery stock Of the stree agent" Why
is Ii, when after being repeatedly warned
against purchasing through agents, by
the Maine Farmer and other agricultural
papers, that they will still throw away
needlessly their hard earnings, which
they so much need with which 10 pur-
chase fertilizers, farming implements,
etc: VIII they ever learn that by buying
direct from the nursery they can save
from 30 10 80 per cent? have purchased
in years past from both the peddler and
the nurseryman. and know whereof
speak.
Now, 10 every reader OF the Farmer
who eontemplates purchasing nursery
stock OF any kind in the future, wish
for moment 10 call your attention 10
the difference in the prices of both. A
few DAYS ago received a bale of nurs-
cry stock from one of our most reliable
nurserymeu. Every tree and bush was
iu the pink of condition, and of the
guaranteed size and height. knew
what To expect and was not disappointed.
have dealt with them before, and
know them 10 be honest. Now for the
prices. NV Lombard and Bradshaw
plum trees, standard, five feet and more
high, after paving express charges and
stage fare, cost me less than 25c. each,
hy the dozen. The "tree agent" will
charge YOU all the way from 60c. TO 81
each. Just according to the amount of
gall" he possesses. NV Downing goose
berries, Victoria and White Grape cur
rants, two years old, cost 90c. per
dozen. Agents will fleece you TO the
tune OF from $3.50 TO sS for the same
goods exactly.
These prices are about an average OF
what YOU will find them down through
the list of large and small fruits. Agents
are quite numerous In this section; they
all give me 4 call, consequently | keep
well posted on prices. One OF the most
successful agents in these parts called
upon friend of mine few days ago
Among others was the Burbank plum ;
his price was Sl.5O each, or sl5 per
dozen. Now, just see the consummate
cheek OF this peddler. Before me have
the catalogues from two as respon-
sible nurserymen "a there are in the
country. Now, what are their prices for
the Burbank plum? Forty cents each,
or 81 30 per dozen; add cxpressage and
they will not cost at your door over $3.50
per dozen.
People grumhle great deal over the
profits of the grocer and butcher, but
what are they compared with the profits
Of the 'tree agent: just nothing.
There is no class of middlemen to-day,
who are reaping such unme-ciful har-
vests out of the farmers as this class of
individuals. Ii is high time thst an end
was put TO these exOrbltant prices. and
Il Is the duty OF all persons who feel an
interest for the farmers of Maine 10 join
hands and assist as far as possible In
driving the ''tree agent" into the field 10
work. or into some other occupation.
The Maine board of agriculture and the
grange would do well 10 give some at
tention 10 this matter.
Among the many responsible nursery
men, who make speciality of selling
direct 10 the planter, will mention a
few, although there are many others
popular and responsible: The
Green Nursery Co. and Ellwsuger X
Barry. Rochester, y. Y, and Hale Bros.
south Glastonbury, Conn. III you
want anything in the nursery line, from
Sos worth TO carload, send TO any Of
these firms for their catalogue, and |
will guarantee their prices will surprise
YOU, especially IL you have been In the
habit Of procuring your stock OF the
''tree agent. Correspondent OF Maine
Farmer.