vi Preface 



the earnest appeals of mauy friends to leave to the 

 millions of southern toilers the lessons learned during 

 a half centur\' of study, experiment and experience as a 

 devotee to the art of horticulture, encourage me to 

 make an effort to leave some guiding "footprints on the 

 sands of time." 



Believing that a more abundant and continuous sup- 

 ply of tender, fresh vegetables and luscious fruits upon 

 the tables in our southern homes, replacing to some 

 extent the deadly frying-pan and the omnipresent 

 canned goods, will contribute to health, refinement and 

 intellectuality, I feel that ray declining years can, in no 

 other way, be more appropriately spent than in an 

 earnest, honest effort to render our farm homes more 

 attractive and their occupants more healthy and happy. 



The true gardener loves his plants as living com- 

 panions, and enjoys their successful growth as he does 

 the happiness and prosperity of his children. Plants 

 respond to kind, intelligent treatment, and manifest 

 their gratitude by supplying more abundantly and per- 

 fectly their treasure of flowers and fruits. The fragrant 

 rose greets with blushing pride the coming of its kindly 

 benefactor, and seems to delight in his affectionate 

 admiration. There can be no contamination from asso- 

 ciation with plants, and no danger of deadly disease 

 germs in the consumption of their products. 



I have been greatly assisted in the preparation of this 

 book by Prof. C. C. Newman, Professor of Horticulture 

 in Clemson Agricultural College, and Horticulturist of 

 South Carolina Experiment Station. 



J. S. NEWMAN. 



