INTRODUCTION. 17 



es of the kidneys. The use of the grape juice also, is large- 

 ly on the increase and it is recommended by physicians 

 of every class. 



Eegarding other fruit«, it is hardly within the province 

 of this book to mention the therapeutic qualities they are 

 believed to possess. All the world highly esteems the prop- 

 erties of the orange and greatly prizes the lemon and the 

 lime; the strawberry has been known to cure malarial 

 fevers, and figs and prunes, dates and banaias, cherries 

 and peaches are all distinguished for their healthful quali- 

 ties. They should not be eaten uncooked after a hot 

 meal, when the stomach is in a relaxed condition, but at 

 proper seasons they can supersede the use of medicine. 



INCKEASB IN THE USE OF FKUIT. 



To woman the increased culture of fruit is a peculiar 

 blessing. Unless the housewife be hope)essly wedded to the 

 old custom of providing heavy meats, rich puddings and 

 dyspeptic pastry, there is no reason why she may not by 

 the use of fruit, furnish a large and practically endless 

 variety of dishes, one day after another, all through the 

 year. 



The work of food preparation too, is reduced to its mini- 

 mum, and how vastly more agreeable to a woman of refine- 

 ment IS the handling of fruits than that of a greasy animal 

 food ! 



To the horticulturist the world owes more than can be 

 estimated. To tame straggling brambles aud wild tre?s 

 into prolific subjection, and cause them to shower their 

 melting and aromatic sweetness upon mankind, is to great- 

 ly help the march of true civilization. 



Within the last decade a great change has taken pla^e 



