INTRODUCTION 



than cultivated. If this sentiment should of- 

 fend any one to whom the pear is dear let him 

 remember that it may enjoy an immunity from 

 blight in his locality that is not vouchsafed to 

 the rest of us. I enjoy a fine pear in the proper 

 stage of maturity as much as any one living — 

 but I prefer that it be grown in some other 

 neighborhood. 



Throughout the book I have not hesitated to 

 draw upon the experience of others. To do so 

 was inevitable and I have ranged far. I par- 

 ticularly desire to acknowledge the help that I 

 have had from Professor U. P. Hedrick, of 

 Geneva, New York, whose work in connection 

 with the deciduous fruits stands second to none 

 in this country. 



B. W. D. 



