PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION 
The writer desires to express sincere gratitude for the cordial wel- 
come and patronage which the two earlier editions of this treatise have 
received, not only in California, but in other semitropical countries. 
At the time of the preparation of the first edition in 1889 there was no 
thought that it would find foreign fields of usefulness; it was merely the 
earnest hope of the writer that it would win its way as a safe guide to 
the extension of the fruit interests of California; and to that end no 
effort was spared to constitute the work an explicit and truthful state- 
ment of natural conditions attending fruit growing in California, and 
accurate descriptions of the practises which best minister to success 
under these conditions. The generous patronage bestowed upon the 
work by Californians for a decade is a demonstration that this purpose 
was attained, and it is largely owing to their cordial commendation that 
the work has extended so widely into foreign fields. It is profoundly 
satisfactory to the writer to have the assurance that the acceptance of 
the treatise as a faithful guide to practise in California has actually fore- 
shadowed its popularity wherever the same fruits are grown; and, in- 
versely, its acceptance abroad is indirect evidence of its accuracy and 
helpfulness in California. 
With such inspiration as naturally proceeds from these facts, the 
writer has for two years devoted such time as could be spared from 
other pressing duties to a thorough revision of the work, condensing 
portions which were ditfuse or merely of passing, local interest; and 
expanding other portions which are of deep and lasting importance and 
in which California experience and experiment really involve knowl- 
edge new to horticultural literature and of the widest applicability. The 
revision has required a rewriting of the most important chapters and 
a study of original data nearly equal to that invelved in the preparation 
of the treatise in the first instance. The illustrations have also been 
largely replaced and the work brought up to the beginning of the cen- 
tury. 
As was done in connection with earlier editions, the writer desires 
to extend to all readers an exhortation to correction of any statement 
which may seem unwarranted from their points of view and experience. 
The subject is varied, multifold, and involved, every new fact is impor- 
tant and will be welcomed. 
EDWARD J. WICKSON. 
University of California, Berkeley. 
