PREFACE 



In launching the ExcYCLorEoiA of Practical HoRxicuLTrRE, we offer, 

 as justification for our course, the following reasons: 



First — We are living in the midst of one of the best fruit districts of 

 the world and have learned from practical experience what the fruit grower 

 needs. We have worked in the orchards and studied the varied conditions 

 from the viewpoint of the practical fruit grower. 



Second — Our fruits, especially our apples, command the highest prices 

 in the markets of the world. This fact is not dependent alone upon the 

 physical conditions under which our fruits are produced, but also upon 

 the methods applied in growing them and preparing them for the market. 



Third — We have visited all the principal fruit growing sections of the 

 United States and parts of Canada with a view to studying the best con- 

 ditions and the best methods for the production of the various kinds of 

 fruits. 



Fourth — We have consulted with many of the most prominent horticul- 

 turists, both in the schools and in the fields of practical work, and have 

 obtained what information we could from all available sources. 



Fifth — We have consulted the literature that .seems to us best adapted 

 to our needs, and have quoted from the ablest writers on the various sub- 

 jects, giving to each and every one due credit. 



Sixth — We have embodied in this work articles from the ablest con- 

 tributors and specialists on the particular subjects treated. We have en- 

 deavored to bring everything up to date and to condense into three volumes 

 that which we believe would be of the most practical benefit to the fruit 

 grower. 



We have tried not to be technical. At the same time we believe we 

 have been scientific, in that we have aimed to make all of our teachings 

 conform to the facts as scientists have discovered them. Where it was pos- 

 sible to do so, we have expressed these facts in plain and untechnical 

 language. Believing that thousands of fruit growers in this country, who 

 are too busy to gather all this information for themselves, will be interested 

 and profited by such a work, and believing that thousands who live in 

 other parts of the United States will be interested in knowing the methods 

 we employ for the production of fruits, proven by the prices they command 

 to be among the best, we submit this work to the world. 



Granville Lowther 



