LAST WORDS. 



In bowing myself out from this brief interview with the reafler^ 

 I will merely add that I have tried to make my preceding words 

 simple and to the point — helpful. I lay no claim whatever to 

 scientific and exhaustive thoroughness. It is rather as if I had 

 sat down and chatted with the reader for an hour, telling him 

 what little I knew, and answering his supposed questions. If he 

 had been actually ^jresent he would have asked scores that I 

 could not have answered. But for practical purposes I have 

 honestl>^ tried to be plain, accurate, and suggestive, so that even 

 the novice could understand what he must do to succeed with 

 the most delipious and wholesome fruits of the year. In just 

 distrust of my. own judgment and knowledge, I have read all the 

 preceding pages, except those treating of markets, etc., to Charles 

 Downing, who is rightfully considered one of the very chief 

 authorities upon these subjects. But where I am in fault the 

 errors are my own. 



It is one of the hopes of the future that I may be able to 

 observe carefull}'- the many new varieties of fruit that are claim- 

 ing attention, and by reporting as accurately as possible upon 

 them annually, enable others to judge of their value. I also 

 hope to give from time to time the results of experiments, and 

 my own, and the experience of others in the various methods of 

 culture. But whether such expectations will '^ver be fulfilled is 

 a question that time onl}'' can answer. 



If through the influence of this manual more ripe and deli- 

 cious fruits appear upon your daily board, you will find that you 

 have followed the advice of a friend. 



