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PREFACE 



THIS volume is the outgrowth of over eight years' ex- 

 perience in inter-mountain horticulture. From the nature 

 of our work, much time has been spent in orchards in the 

 various districts, and Mr. Whipple, in the capacity of 

 Field Agent in Horticulture, has been stationed for the 

 past three years at Grand Junction, Colorado, the center 

 of one of the most famous fruit sections in the Union. 

 During this time the writers have become acquainted with 

 the many problems that are of interest to the experienced 

 orchardist and most perplexing to the novice, through per- 

 sonal contact with fruit-growers and at horticultural 

 short-courses as well as through correspondence. Arid 

 horticulture is very different in many respects from that 

 of the humid states, and a fruit-grower from the East has 

 much to learn. But the majority of our fruit-growers had 

 no experience in horticulture before coming West, and 

 many of them had little or no knowledge of country life. 

 Such persons have everything to learn, and it is to them 

 that this volume is especially addressed. Horticulture 

 has only begun to be developed in the semi-arid West; 

 consequently new settlers will continue to come to us for 

 many years, and instruction in the elements of the art of 

 horticulture will continue to be in demand. 



