PREFACE. 



" It must never be forgotten that fruit is the product of cultivated soil and cultivated talent" 



SHIRLEY HIBBEBD. 



TN the production of this volume it has been no small advantage to have had the 

 privilege of consulting the eminent poinologist, Dr. Eobert Hogg, who obligingly 

 glanced through many of the proof pages, and bestowed on them, where needed, the 

 delicate touches of a master's hand. 



For matter supplied I am indebted to Mr. George Abbey, a gardener of long 

 experience and great knowledge. Without his valuable co-operation, the subjects, 

 especially tho fungoid and other enemies of fruit, could not be so complete as they 

 are, while elucidatory plans, sections, and sketches have enhanced the measure of my 

 obligations to him. 



All the routine cultural teaching is presented in consonance with my own experience, 

 and I hold myself wholly responsible for the soundness, or otherwise, of the practices 

 advocated, especially tor those that may be deemed faulty in character ; and the greatest 

 favour that discriminating readers, experienced in fruit culture, can confer will be in 

 pointing out what they may consider defective, with the view to subsequent recti- 

 fication. 



I desire to thank Mr. G. Bunyard, Maidstone ; Mr. A. H. Pearson, Chilwell, Notts ; 

 Mr. T. Francis Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, Herts ; Mr. A. J. Thomas, Sittingbourne ; and 

 Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, for supplying the specimens of fruits which are 

 portrayed in this volume by Miss May Rivers. It should be explained that the Late 

 Black Bigarreau and Bigarreau de Gueben Cherries (facing page 190) were gathered 

 from trees in pots in an unheated house at Sawbridgeworth ; and the fine Cox's Orange 



