PROGRESS OF AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 305 



The immense collection of fruit shown at the Centennial 

 Exposition last year, surpassing even the great exhibitions 

 of the American Pomological Society at Boston and Chicago, 

 deserves mention here. One of the judges writes me, "I 

 know that the judges examined over twelve thousand dishes 

 of fruit during the week, commencing the 10th of September, 

 and I have no doubt that the entire exhibition during the 

 season reached the grand number of over sixty thousand 

 dishes and over four hundred thousand specimens." 



In view of the wonderful progress which has already been 

 made, we begin to realize the great importance of American 

 pomology ; nor should we forget, as among the great bene- 

 fits of fruit-culture, the employment of thousands of men, 

 women, and children, or the immense amounts paid for 

 freight on fruits to railroads, steamboats, &c., and the prodts 

 to dealers. 



But who can estimate the amazing quantities of fruits 

 that are to be produced on this continent, when the lands 

 suited to fruit-culture are brought into use ! Look at the 

 vast amount of these in the eastern slope of our country, 

 and, still more wonderful, the land on the Pacific slope ! Of 

 these, California alone has a territory eight hundred miles in 

 length and two hundred miles in breadth, — three times as 

 large as all of the New-England States, four times as large 

 as the State of New York or Pennsylvania, — having millions 

 of acres for fruit-cultivation. 



Some have feared that there might be an over-production 

 of fruit ; but the whole crop may now be saved and utilized 

 by the new methods which are being co istantly invented for 

 curing and distributing this surplus. In fruit districts large 

 amounts of capital are invested in establishments for the dry- 

 ing and canning of fruits, which promise to put the surplus 

 of abundant seasons in condition for preservation till wanted 

 for consumption or exportation. Some of these are yet to be 

 tested; but no doubt exists that we shall eventually thus 

 utilize our fruits, and make them not only profitable, but a 

 source of increasing revenue. 



The perfection now attained in the drying and canning 

 process — possessing the great advantage, for transportation, 

 of reducing the weight three-fourths or more by the removal 

 of water, and rendering it capable of shipment to all climes, 



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