INTRODUCTION. 6 



winds, for we have some weather of that sort in Virginia, and 

 even farther South. How delightful to sit by the social board 

 and enjoy the juicy, luscious apple, or the preserved products 

 of the no less aromatic peach, the small fruits, done up in 

 the shape of pies and tarts, jellies, &c. To the juveniles of 

 the family circle, more especially, is the treat to be desired at 

 this season, and the idea of such a repast makes bright eyes 

 sparkle, and 



Little mouths can never pout 



When the apples are about. 



The old, the middle-aged and everybody likes a good mel- 

 low apple, and its use at all seasons is extremely conducive to 

 the pleasure and health of all. 



Mr. Thomas S. Pleasants, of Petersburg, Virginia, in a 

 valuable article on "Diversity of Agricultural Productions," 

 says: "The business of fruit culture admits of almost infinite 

 expansion ; for though continually increasing, the demand is 

 always ahead of the supply. It has been prosecuted in the 

 vicinity of Norfolk with extraordinary success for a number 

 of years, and to some extent along the margin of the large 

 water-courses, where the facilities, both for production and 

 transportation, are equal to any other locality. The conti- 

 guity of extensive sheets of water is a certain protection 

 against the damaging effects of late frost. Peaches and ap- 

 ples are considered among the most profitable crops that can 

 be grown, as they are always in demand at high prices on the 

 spot, wherever a skipper can navigate his craft. The early 

 apples from a thrifty and well-established orchard have been 

 sold as high as a thousand dollars per acre. As there is no 

 limit to the demand, the fiirmer can scarcely err in devoting 

 a part of his premises to the culture of this fruit, always be- 

 ing particular to select the very earliest varieties. In passing, 

 it may be well to give a caution against any Northern \ariet;y 

 for domestic use in winter. Owing to the length of our sea- 

 sons, they arrive at maturity too soon in the fall to admit of 

 being kept for that purpose." 



It appears from the experience of all farmers who have 

 planted orchards, that trees furnished by nurseries of our own 



