226 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY 



elusion temporarily of systematic study, have 

 naturally brought us back to the neglected 

 subject. The refinements in our cultural 

 practices have made a more intimate under- 

 standing of varieties necessary, and the in- 

 creased commercial competition has advanced 

 the same demand. 



The fruit grower is the man above all 

 others most interested in systematic pomol- 

 ogy. He is the only man, in fact, to be bene- 

 fited by the prolonged and critical study of 

 the experts. But, valuable as the investiga- 

 tions of the experts are to him, they are of 

 small account, indeed, compared with the 

 variety studies which he makes on his own 

 account. At horticultural meetings, in his 

 neighbors' orchards, and, most of all, in his 

 own orchard, must the fruit grower study 

 every variety which he meets. He must 

 acquaint himself with its smallest character- 

 istic, with its minutest peculiarity, with its 

 slightest preference for soil or drainage or 

 exposure. On the foundation of such knowl- 

 edge is success built; from the lack of it fail- 

 ure comes. 



