INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 11 



consider so poor a fruit as the Cherry worth culti- 

 vating ; but subsequent conversation proved that 

 he had never seen a good.one, the names of such 

 delicious varieties as Elton, Florence, and Black 

 Eagle, being as unknown to him as Hebrew to an 

 untaught child. Another intelligent person, who 

 had spent a considerable portion of many years 

 in making a collection of bearing trees, had never 

 even seen an Apricot, nor had known that there was 

 such a fruit, hardy as the Peach, raised with nearly 

 the same facility, ripening at mid-summer, and 

 superior in delicious qualities to our finest and rich- 

 est plums. 



But the expense of procuring and planting the 

 trees, and the time required for bearing, deter many 

 from the attempt. They do not know, perhaps, 

 that the unnecessary cost yearly lavished on fine 

 furniture, fine carriages and harness, and other 

 needless luxuries, would pay for and plant a fruit 

 garden, and in five years afford a hundred fold 

 more real enjoyment and utility. But will trees 

 come into plentiful bearing in five years ? They 

 will, with a selection of proper varieties and with 

 the best culture. It is true, more than twice 

 that period often passes, before the owner reaps 

 his reward ; but neglect is nearly always the cause. 

 What farmer would plant a field of corn, and, 

 omitting entirely the operations of cultivating and 

 hoeing, expect a crop in the midst of grass and 



