XXII 



RELATION TO THE PRACTICE OF FRUIT GROWING 



ASIDE from the executive ability of the 

 fruit grower himself, no other one factor has 

 a greater k.iluence on the success of the busi- 

 ness of fruit growing than the selection of 

 varieties. The improvement of our horti- 

 culture depends, first of all, on the introduc- 

 tion of better fruits, on their effective dissem- 

 ination, and on the adaptation of particular 

 varieties to special soils, climates, markets, 

 and personal needs. 



There are men, of course, who grow apples 

 successfully, and who sell them at a profit, 

 without knowing any other variety than Ben 

 Davis or Baldwin. But you, my amiable 

 reader, are not that kind of a man. Igno- 

 rance is no part of your capital. For you suc- 

 cess is conditioned on knowledge. The better 

 you understand your business the better it 

 will pay. Also, the better you understand it 

 the more you will enjoy it. 



Both these things are important. Fruit 

 growing must pay some dividends in the first 



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