and old standard sorts decried or totally neglected. Believing that 

 all varieties of merit should be retained, I have endeavored to avoid 

 fulsome praise of the new, on the one hand, and undue detraction of 

 the old, on the other. Both the faults and excellences of varieties 

 have been frankly stated, hoping that disappointments and needless 

 expense on the part of the beginner may thereby be avoided. 



The collection of information as to the origin of varieties has caused 

 me no small amount of labor. Due credit has been given to those by 

 whose skill and care superior new fruits have been produced. If I 

 have occasionally hit a humbug, no apology will be made for the 

 offence. 



The book is mainly the result of not large but long personal expe- 

 rience and observation, to which is added information drawn from 

 some of the most reliable and intelligent horticulturists in the coun- 

 try. It has been written in odd moments, and will be found neither 

 perfect nor complete. 



About one third of the volume is devoted to grape culture, a sub- 

 ject not usually embraced in works treating of small fruits. A few 

 copies of the essay on grapes were originally printed in pamphlet 

 form, and received the commendation of President Wilder, Charles 

 Downing, and other eminent horticulturists. That essay has been 

 revised and enlarged, so as to adapt it to the present state of knowl- 

 edge. I trust it may be found of some value. 



If those who may take the trouble to read what has been here pre- 

 sented shall find therein the information they are seeking, the writer 

 will feel amply rewarded for the labor its preparation has cost. 



WILLIAM H. HILLS. 



Plaistow, N. H., May 19, 1885. 



