14 FKUIT CULTURE IN GENERAL. 



render the business of drying for market a fair one. Eastward, and 

 that, too, where a market for fresh fruits is readily attainable, these 

 drying establishments are becoming common. The demand for 

 dried fruits will become greater every year. 



Large sums of money are expended abroad annually for fruits 

 which might easily be produced at home in much better perfection 

 and at far cheaper cost — such as grapes, figs, currants, etc. Even 

 fresh pears have been huported from France by the New York con- 

 fectioners. 



In addition to our home, market, a large foreign market will 

 doubtless spring up, American apples and pears have already been 

 sold in Europe and the East Indies, in a fresh state ; and peaches 

 and strawberries have been sent to the "West Indies. 



It is fair, then, to assume that, as the facilities for quick trans- 

 portation increase, and as the various processes for preserving fruits 

 in a fresh state become perfected, not only all sections of our widely- 

 extended country, but the markets of the w^hole world, will be 

 opened to'our fruit-growers ! 



But suppose both home and foreign markets fail us, it furnishes 

 no valid reason why every farnaer should not plant and cultivate 

 enough to supply his own wants luxuriously, and every mechanic 

 and other head of family have his well-stocked fruit-garden. Of 

 the millions of these farmers throughout the country, there are not 

 half even in the old States, and not one tenth of them in the new, 

 who produce enough for their own consumption ! This home sup- 

 ply should at least be furnished, let the markets be as they may. 



IV. Fruit Furnishes a^ Amount of Good Living not Other- 

 wise Attainable. 



Those who have not been able to realize this fact from actual 

 experience, will be astonished to know what a vast amount of good, 

 and even luxuriant food, the orchard and fruit-garden can be made 

 to yield with the proper care and management. It will not be too 

 much to say, that a good selection of fruits in the market, worth 

 any given sum, can be made the source of more real comfort and 

 substantial enjoyment than twice the market value of any other 

 kinds of food. This is owing mainly to the various modes of 

 cookery, and the great variety of ways in which they can be 

 served up. 



