THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE 



INTRODUCTION. 



time immemorial fruit-growing has been one of the most agreeable of pursuits 

 connected with the cultivation of the soil. It has been practised by philosophers, 

 ecclesiastics, and statesmen through, many centuries, as well as by men whose livelihood 

 depended on their labour in developing the resources of the earth, and producing food 

 for its inhabitants. But this ancient art has met with obstructions to its steady progress 

 from early periods down to the present time. Wars, with dynastic changes ; human 

 follies of a widespread character : human fears and frailties, fashions and fancies, have 

 periodically governed the actions of men, and conspired to arrest work that would have 

 contributed largely to the health and wealth of the nation. Through some, of those 

 causes fruit-growing has been conducted by fits and starts from the beginning until 

 now. There have been at times what may be termed " manias " for planting fruit 

 trees, followed by much longer periods of neglect ; and there have also been times of 

 " displanting," as it was euphemistically termed, such as when orchards were uprooted 

 to give place to hops ; and now hops are, in turn, being uprooted to give place to 

 orchards. 



Fruit in the early ages was mainly grown for wine-making, and was not esteemed to 

 anything like the extent it is now as an article of consumption for alimentary purposes. 

 It is now regarded as a necessity in the homes of the affluent ; and as the taste of the 

 population advances under the steady influence of education, and as the advantages of 

 a fruit diet become more fully recognised, and the supply of fruit is improved, the 

 demand will increase, for fruit is destined to form an important part in the diet of 

 the nation. 



On the wholesomeness and importance of fruit as food, and as an antidote to the 

 ailments to which humanity is liable, the following testimony of a medical journal is 

 VOL. r. B 



619500 



