In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. ANDOVER: STEREOTYPED BY WARREN F. DRAPER. Presswork by John Wilson and Sons. 4. N. W. THIS VOLUME 18 RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED TO AMERICAN FRUIT-GROWERS, IN THE HOPE THAT IT MAY ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST BEGINNERS, AND BE FOUND Ly the Author. 667856 PREFACE. HILE there are a number of excellent works WHIL descriptive of fruits, and compiled from ripe experience and large observation, yet there are few, if any, which give in detail the arts of culti vation. The minutiae and practical application of these arts become more important as the interest in fruitculture increases, and the profits are understood. On these topics so much has already been published as to prevent any demand for additional remark. But in the progress of our legitimate business a multitude of inquiries are annually proposed, by customers and others, relative to the various branches of these arts, which are important to their success, but to which they cannot readily obtain satisfactory replies. Thus we have felt ourselves called upon to submit the results of our researches and experience to the public in print, hoping that the present volume, though not perfect and complete, may yet be acceptable and useful to beginners in the cultivation of the garden, the orchard, and the vineyard. And, lest our connection with the Hon. MARSHALL P. WILDER, of enviable renown for his contributions to American Pomology, should lead our readers or the public to think him responsible for what we have written, we feel it to be due to his official position, and to our pleasant and intimate relation to him, to say that he is in no degree accountable for any peculiar sentiments herein expressed. We have received from him many valuable sug gestions, and are largely indebted to his library and |