IV PREFACE. 



ledge and experience in horticultural and pomological pur- 

 suits, and from his valuable correspondence, and select 

 and copious cullings from the best authors, both British and 

 American, and a thorough examination of their views, to fill 

 the vacuum that exists in Southern horticulture, by supplying 

 the information so much needed in the successful culture of 

 fruit-trees. 



The prevalence of this apathy and inattention in a large, en- 

 lightened, rural communit}^, whose soil and climate is unsur- 

 passed as it regards adaptation to fruit trees, their longevity, 

 luxuriant growth and perfection of fruit, is only to be ac- 

 counted for by assuming that the agricultural interests of the 

 people have monopolized not only their soil, but their ener- 

 gies, leaving only the '■^ truck-jmteJi' and a small part of the 

 garden for fruit trees, and scarcely a thought about their 

 cultivation. 



We hope in the following pages to show the impolicy of 

 a course so exclusive ; and we might say so prejudicial 

 to the community ; as good health, good living, and 

 good morals, to say nothing of pecuniary results that will 

 rival cotton or tobacco, are prominent benefits that will cer- 

 tainly reward the care and attention bestow^ed on fruit-trees. 



Although this work is arranged and intended for Southern 

 and Western latitudes and climates, yet its use is not incompat- 

 ible with wide range and general patronage ; and with modifi- 

 cations to suit particular localities may be used in almost all 

 sections of our country. 



The Author. 

 October, 1872. 



