ORCHARD-HOUSE CULTURE. 6 



concurrent circumstances to be taken into consideration, 

 which arc not always allowed, at the time, to have their due 

 weight. It thus often happens that the observer who feels 

 almost certain of some new and important discovery, has too 

 often to recant his errors before the close of the season. All 

 these doubts greatly check and embarrass the amateur, but 

 they have their uses in preventing rash and vain experiments, 

 as well as in saving unnecessary expense. But in cases 

 where, after a certain time allowed for reflection, a succession 

 of ascertained results have arisen, any one, actuated by the 

 simple desire to communicate his own advantages to others, 

 can never be open to censure. A man who does this only 

 fulfils his duty.* 



The author, as stated, had been in delicate health for a 

 long period : and this cause has rendered him desirous of 

 making known to invalids the benefits arising from the study 

 of fruit-culture, which in all its branches is so suitable a pur- 

 suit for such persons. In the form of orchard-house culture 

 little can be better adapted to restore health ; for from the 

 dry state of the atmosphere, and the free circulation of air 

 uncharged with the odors emanating from flowers, a walk in 

 almost all weathers is secured ; while the mind, diverted from 

 gloomy thoughts by the sight of the beautiful young trees, 

 either in full blossom or laden with fruit, or even in their 

 rest, gains a healthful tone, and finds all snggestive in the 

 highest degree. The writer never suffered, as he feared, 

 from draughts of cold air ; though, of course, common pre- 



[* These are invaluable hints, and should be well considered. We know of 

 nothing that has so much retarded true progress as the publication of so many- 

 so-called important discoveries in cultivation, which are trumpeted as the basis 

 of all success. These engage the attention of young amateurs, and often older 

 practitioners, who, led away by the apparent success of the discoverer, change 

 their whole course of culture just in time to learn that the " important discover- 

 ies" are an entire failure. If this was only once it would do no great harm, 

 but hardly has the cultivator recovered from his failure before he follows some 

 other equally wild notion, to be in turn attended with no better results. The 

 advice of the author to follow only well-known authorities is of the utmost 

 importance. — c. m. h.] 



