Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-03
ABOUT FRUIT TREE AGENTS.

ABOUT FRUIT TREE AGENTS.
We have two requests that we show
up some of the frauds practiced by
sellers Of nursery stock and fruit ped
dlers. We do not feel equal to the task,
but we will give few pointers which
may be Of use to such of our readers as
may wish to buy such stock. The ques-
lions of latitude, loca ton, soil and sub
sequent care given fruit trees after
planting have SO much to do with sue
cess or failure that they must be con-
sidered by the man who would be sue
cessful. First, as to latitude. Latitude
is always subject to modification by al
titude, or elevation, and by isothermal
reliable guide in the selection Of varie-
ties of fruit to plant For instance, a
fruit which may be safely planted in
latitude ~ at an elevation of but 500
feet above sea level may be utterly
worthless to plant in the same line Of
latitude at an elevation of 1000 feet.
Isothermal lines-lines of varying tenn
perature and humidity-which pass
over the country pay but little atten-
ton to latitude and largely determine
the climatic conditions of given local
ity regardless Of the question of lati-
tude. Thus we find Nova Scotia, in lat
itude 45.47, and the state of Washing
ton, latitude 4749, will produce varie-
ties of fruits which cannot endure the
climate in latitude AZ in the central
states. This because the temperature
of those localities is modified by ocean
influences in the one case and the ia
pan current on the Pacific in the other.
Thus there is no use in attempting to
grow Baldwin, Spitzenberg. r. 1.
Greening or King apple in latitude 45
in any of the central states. This
makes it imperative that suitable vari-
cites be selected for the locality where
the trees are to be planted. Now, the
average tree peddler will fool a buyer
on this point and, caring only to sell his
trees, will work off varieties on the
buyer utterly unfit for his location.
Your neighbor who has made success
of raising fruit is the man to see in the
matter of selecting varieties.
Another fraud to be watched is the
getting of trees not true to name. This
risk is always run in buying of the
agents of faraway and unknown firms.
and the remedy is simply to buy Of
your nearest reliable home dealer. A
large section of the northwest was
raided by the sellers of certain varie-
ty of apple much wanted. Thousands
Of the trees were sold, and three or
four years later it was discovered that
scarcely any Of these trees were true to
name and We're instead of all sorts and
kinds. Untold injury was thus done
not only to the buyers, but to the or
chard interests of the country at large.
AS to location, not every location is a
good site for an orchard. The agent
may tell you that his trees will grow
anywhere, but they won't. Take your
neighbours and your home dealers
opinion on this matter before you in
TEST in trees. The same thing applies
to soils. The apple will not grow in a
swamp or on peat bed. neither will 1t
do anything on sterile and droughty
gravel hillside 1t is best to let new
things alone. Men who want an or
chard can seldom afford to be expert
mentors. Leave this work for the ex-
pertinent stations and for the nursery
man. The agent makes his biggest
profits from the sale of novelties. There
are thousands of dollars thrown away
every year in the purchase Of fruit
trees in every western community by
ordering such stock of strangers repre-
senting unknown firms. The only way
to stop this loss is to do as above indi-
cated-frst consult your neighbor who
has made a success as to varieties, To-
cation. ETC.. and then buy your trees OF
some firm near home whom you can
get at afterward. Still, there will be a
lot of men read this who will fall vic
tins to the first tree peddler that comes
along. So what is the use of writing it ?