INTRODUCTION. 15 



themselves with the beautiful scenery and rich rewards of 

 teeming orchards. One of the fathers in horticulture says: 

 '^ If possible, have a good orchard. When I say, I heartily 

 desire that every man should cultivate an orchard, or at least 

 a tree of good fruit, it is not necessary that I should point 

 out how much both himself and the public will be in every 

 sense the gainers." 



In concluding these introductory remarks, the author begs 

 leave again to be allowed to return his profound acknowledg- 

 ments for the many favors of his correspondents in different 

 parts of the South and of the United States, for their nume- 

 rous suggestions and timely and valuable aid in compiling and 

 writing this work. 



The author also desires to say, that his attention has not 

 been directed to the various and bulky compilations and quan- 

 tity of materials within his reach, in order to deal in contro- 

 verted theories, but rather to a critical selection of facts; and 

 that this work has not been undertaken with a view merely to 

 increase numerous volumes already extant of a similar com- 

 plexion, but to furnish the more Southern and Western por- 

 tions of our country with special and particular information 

 suited more particularly to their soil and climate, no where to 

 be found in contemporary or other authors, and to embody 

 and present all the most useful, practical and well attested 

 improvements, the result of more recent culture, observation 

 and discovery. 



Hoping from the advantageous circumstances in which the 

 author is placed, and from his untiring efforts to produce a 

 valuable treatise, the public will not be disappointed ; that the 

 spirit of improvement now abroad may extend to Fruit 

 Culture; that the hills and vales, fence-corners and waste 

 places, as well as select places, may be adorned in spring with 

 blooming trees and orchards, and in summer and fall with 

 bending boughs laden with choice, luxuriant fruit for home 

 and for market purposes, alike beneficial to the producer, the 

 merchant, the consumer and the country. 



J. F. 



