PART IV. 



FRUIT CULTURE 



FRUIT ON THE FARM. 



IT is the occasion of surprise to those who have given a thought to the subject, thatfarmers 

 generally are not more interested in fruit-growing, that they do not take more pains to 

 cultivate in abundance the best of the several varieties of fruit adapted to the climate 

 and soil in which their farms may be located, thus not only providing the means of comfort, 

 health, and nutriment for the family, but also increasing the attractiveness of the home, and 

 furnishing a source of enjoyment to its inmates, as well as profit in farm production, for good 

 fruit will always command a fair price in any market; and not only this, but there is no 

 question but that a farm well stocked with fruit trees, grape vines, and the smaller fruits will 

 find a more ready market when its sale is desired, and will command a higher price than one 

 destitute of these provisions of comfort and luxury, for good fruit is not only a source of 

 enjoyment, but a luxury as well, and one that all should enjoy. It is a recognized fact, that 

 a good orchard on a farm will do more towards bringing a high price in its sale than many 

 other things that may be much more expensive. The planting of an orchard is a permanent 

 improvement which, when once established, requires, when the benefits derived are consid 

 ered, comparatively but little expense and labor. A farm without fruit lacks one of the 

 most desirable products of the soil, and seems incomplete and barren of the most attractive 

 feature of a well-conducted farm, however systematic and thorough its management may be 

 in other respects. 



The erroneous idea often prevails that fruit, as an article of food, is injurious, and if 

 eaten at all should be taken sparingly; also, that it should not be used by dyspeptics. &quot;We 

 believe this opinion wholly unsustained either by reason or experience, and that good ripe 

 fruit, when taken liberally, will not only conduce to health, but longevity as well, and that 

 many diseases, chronic and otherwise, may be entirely cured and avoided by its free use. 

 &quot;We have known some of the most obstinate cases of dyspepsia cured by this means. We are 

 glad to know that the old maxim, that &quot;fruit is gold in the morning, silver at noon, and lead 

 at night,&quot; though having at present many believers who may variously interpret it, has a 

 smaller number of adherents than formerly, and the number is year by year constantly grow 

 ing less; also, that the culture and common use of fruit as one of the articles of diet, is 

 becoming more general. Our own experience in using freely all the cultivated fruits is, that 

 they may be eaten with perfect impunity at any hour that any other article of food may 

 be allowed, and when cooked properly may be used by invalids with great benefit; also, that 

 a sick person is often more benefited by a good ripe peach, or a few choice strawberries and 

 grapes than by any drug that the physician may prescribe or the apothecary supply. 



Should people generally adopt a more liberal use of good fruit as an article of food, 

 there is no doubt that the present average standard of health would be greatly improved, 

 longevity increased, and many of the now common diseases yield more readily to the effects 

 of the intelligent and skillful treatment of a reliable physician. Fruit should be found on 

 every table as commonly as bread, meat, or any of the other articles of diet; in fact, although 

 bread may truly be regarded as the staff of life, which can truly be said only of good bread, 



