INTRODUCTION 



The reader will discover that this book is in- 

 tended to answer some of the multitude of 

 questions that are continually arising in the 

 minds of even experienced fruit-growers. If it 

 claimed to answer all of them it would be un- 

 worthy of consideration, for such a task is 

 beyond the ability of any one — and always will 

 be — for the reason that new questions come up 

 every year and almost every day. 



Nor has it been possible in the description of 

 methods or the suggestion of spray or cultural 

 programs, to adapt the recommendations to 

 every section of the country or to make them 

 fit all orchard conditions. A spray schedule 

 that would be effective in Northern Michigan 

 might fail to accomplish results in Maryland; 

 one that was good in Indiana might fail in 

 Illinois. 



From this it will be seen that the business of 

 growing fruit is one that is tremendously af- 

 fected by local conditions, and in the prepara- 

 tion of these pages I have endeavored to lay 

 down basic principles upon which the whole 

 business rests. 



