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PEEFACE. 



THE following treatise was mostly written as a Prize Essay, in 

 competition with about sixteen others, for the Gold Medal of 

 the Fruiterers' Company, last year. It was sent to the Judges 

 under the motto of " Hope On," and they reported that it was 

 one of those deserving to be considered and described as 

 "particularly meritorious." 



The " terms and conditions " of that competition stated that 

 "the object is to encourage Fruit Culture by Cottagers, and 

 others with small holdings, as a substitute for, or adjunct to, 

 the ordinary methods of cropping their gardens and allotments 

 with roots or other vegetables." 



This Essay differs from that to which the prize was awarded 

 in one important aspect, namely, that it deals with every 

 variety of fruit usually grown in England, whilst only the 

 ordinary orchard fruits and the hardy bush fruits are treated 

 of in the Prize Essay. 



Whilst it is in every way most desirable that cottagers 

 should cultivate fruit for their home consumption as food by 

 their own families, there is very little doubt that those 

 undertaking its culture on small holdings, will mostly do so. 

 with the view to realize their produce, more or less as a source 

 of profit. As a profitable occupation it will, however, be found 

 that on a limited area, or where land is very dear, or where a 

 regular avocation is sought for the year round, those fruits, 

 will be cultivated, mainly around large towns, that are grown 

 under glass, in preference to orchard trees or other hardy 

 sorts. 



52GG75 



