CHAPTER III. 



A LUCRATIVE TRADE, OFTEN WITH LITTLE COMPETITION 



FOR the encouragement of fruit culture, it will be well 

 to bear in mind, that it is for many districts an almost 

 new, or newly-revived trade in this country; that in 

 cities and seaport towns there is often ten times more 

 fruit sold per head than in other inland towns, owing to 

 the want of supply the greater part of the year, so that 

 there is room for a very large increase in the supplies in 

 nearly every part of the country. 



For those of plodding habits, resolved to get on by 

 patient industry, it will be seen there is not the 

 smallest need to emigrate to make an independent 

 position. 



If health is a main object, the out-door fruits will be 

 chiefly grown, although the returns for these are so 

 much more dependent upon seasons, and situation, and 

 soil; where good land is cheap, as in many parts of 

 Essex, there never was a better chance than the present 

 to succeed, and with less risk of failure, where a well 

 drained and well situated holding can be secured. 



There are many such spots within thirty miles of 

 London, where the sloe, and even the bullace is indig- 

 enous in the hedgerows, showing that stone fruit would 



