

PREFACE 



This book is written for growers of fruits, vegetables and flowers, 

 and makes a popular appeal to all engaged in this branch of farming, 

 whether amateurs or professionals. It is designed to be a handy reference 

 work on the culture of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and flowers. 



There are chapters on the principles of vegetable gardening, mush- 

 room culture, medicinal and aromatic plants, principles of fruit produc- 

 tion, nut culture, beautifying home grounds, and a lengthy treatise on 

 diseases of garden and orchard crops, and their remedies. 



Each department has been prepared by a specialist in the subject 

 presented, and his name appears at the beginning of each chapter. Those 

 unacknowledged have been prepared by myself. References are given 

 here and there to books and pamphlets for those wishing more exhaustive 

 information on specific subjects. 



The illustrations have been secured from many sources. Due credit 

 has been given these. 



Special acknowledgment is due the publishers of this volume and 

 the other volumes in the series for their conception, and for the many 

 helpful suggestions in the presentation of its subject-matter. 



Acknowledgment is also due Professor E. L. Worthen and Professor 

 R. S. Smith, both of the Pennsylvania State College, for helpful sugges- 

 tions and criticisms on soils and crop rotations. I wish also to especially 

 acknowledge the valuable editorial assistance of my wife in the preparation 

 of the manuscript. 



FRANK D. GARDNER. 



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