PREFACE. 



THIS treatise forms the third part of " The Young Gar- 

 dener's Assistant," which, when first issued, in 1829, con- 

 tained only 96 pages. Since that period, so constant has 

 been the demand for the work, that numerous editions have 

 been published ; and being made to embrace the three most 

 important branches of gardening, the entire work has 

 extended to upward of five hundred pages. As each branch 

 forms a distinct subject, the author has been induced to pub- 

 lish the ninth edition in three separate volumes, each of 

 which is complete in itself. The first contains ample direc- 

 tions for the cultivation of culinary vegetables and herbs; the 

 second is designed for the cultivator of flowers ; and the 

 present volume is intended to qualify the reader for the 

 superintendence of his own orchard and fruit garden. 



Those who wish to obtain a book embracing the three 

 subjects, can be accommodated with the tenth edition of the 

 Young Gardener's Assistant, in octavo form, and which is 

 destined to remain for some time to come, the American 

 standard work on Horticulture in general. 



It is presumed that the pomologist will find in this little 

 volume more information on the subject than he could rea- 

 sonably expect in so small a compass. All the most esteemed 

 species of fruit are treated of under distinct heads, to which 

 is added a descriptive list of the finest varieties under culti- 

 vation ; and from the several descriptive lists of fruits having 

 been selected from the catalogues of the most eminent nur- 

 serymen in our country, it is presumed that they are well 

 calculated to suit the generality of cultivators. 



The varieties of the different species of fiuit under culti 

 vation are by far too numerous to encourage any attempt to 

 publish a complete description of all. Even to enumerate 

 them would be a difficult task, owing to the gieat uncer- 

 tainty of their true names, and the multiplicity of names 



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