PREFACE. 



THIS work has been prepared for the press, in the 

 belief that it was wanted by the public. 



The author has, in a direct, plain manner, simply 

 given his own experience. 



Every process here recommended has been proved ; 

 the plans of others tried, and the result is here given. 



Every variety of fruit here introduced except the 

 Lawton Blackberry and two or three small, unimpor- 

 tant fruits has been planted, fertilized, watered, cul- 

 tivated, and carefully watched daily for months, and 

 in most cases, for years; so that it is not mere theory, or 

 second-hand information from amateurs or gardeners, 

 however superior, that is here recorded. 



With proper cultivation, a large crop of strawberries 

 may be expected every year with as much certainty 

 as a crop of corn, and in fact, more so, for our direc- 

 tions embrace a protection from drought, which so 

 frequently lessens the corn crop. 



It will be readily seen that the author has not fol- 

 lowed the rules and order usually observed in treating 



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