The Nurseryman's Deception
A local farmer recounts the frustration of buying fruit trees that failed to grow true to their labels.
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Another serious difficulty arises from unscrupulous dealers labeling their trees to suit their orders. The writer has suffered a number of times from this cause. Here is a case in point: He bought from a dealer in Seattle ten Yellow Bellflower apple trees, and when they came into bearing, there were nine little yellow sweet apples, and only the one bearing the label was correct. Buying trees represented by beautiful pictures has resulted just the same. A nurseryman is liable to mistakes at times, but most of them avoid this as far as possible in order to build up a reputation.
“He bought from a dealer in Seattle ten Yellow Bellflower apple trees, and when they came into bearing, there were nine little yellow sweet apples, and only the one bearing the label was correct.”
This letter to the editor highlights the perennial struggle of consumers facing false advertising in the agricultural market. Much like online shoppers today who find their delivered products don't match the promotional photos, these farmers were vulnerable to long-term investment risks when the goods they purchased took years to bear fruit.
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