FORE\\ORD 



FOREWORD 



A FEW years ago I contributed some articles on fruit culture under glass 

 to The Florists' Exchange. These were very favorably received, and 

 it was even suggested to me that I should collect all my material on 

 this subject and put it into book form. But at that time I realized that I still 

 lacked experience in many of the details of that pursuit which were absolutely 

 necessary to the successful culture of the several fruits it is possible and profitable 

 to raise under glass. 



The encouragement I then received has, however, induced me at this later 

 time, and after more extended experience, to now attempt to carry out an under- 

 taking which, even well into its beginning, seemed a Herculean task. But, strange 

 to say, as I began to make progress the more deeply I became interested. It 

 was to me a relaxation from other duties, and I have found the preparation of 

 the subject matter very companionable. Progress has been slow, as the writing 

 could be done at night only, after the more pressing duties of the day had received 

 attention. 



There are many well-known fruit growers throughout this country who 

 raise excellent crops and who are thoroughly familiar with the art of bringing 

 fruit under glass to the highest state of perfection; such men need no instruc- 

 tion from me. My sole motive in publishing this work is to give information 

 to the less fortunate of my brethren, those who have not had the opportunity 

 to learn all the details necessary to the successful cultivation of all kinds ot 

 indoor fruit. 



If this book will prove of assistance to the inexperienced and to the be- 

 ginner to the extent of imparting new life and energy to this important branch 

 of our profession, I shall feel repaid a hundredfold for the time and labor it has 

 cost me. I know there is a great and growing field for this work, and I would 

 say to all gardeners (young and old), located in establishments where there is 

 glass to any extent but no fruit: Introduce some pot fruit, but grow It well; it 

 may be the means of adding a fruit range to the establishment. There is no 

 better spender in the world than the American employer, provided that returns 

 are in sight, namely, fruit of a higher grade than can be produced or obtained 

 in the open market. 



I have endeavored to discard theory and to give nothing but solid facts 

 and information which, I may say, it has taken me many years of close experi- 

 ence to collect and apply. But I now feel sure of my ground — for the greater 

 part of mv life has been spent among hothouse fruit. I do not take any credit to 



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