INTRODUCTION. 



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In some sections of our country. Peaches are a staple 

 production, and predominant interest, and their cultiva- 

 tion is extending. In these it is no longer an experi- 

 ment, but an established, understood, and successful 

 business; and, like other established interests, is prose- 

 cuted with skill, economy, and profit. 



But not so everywhere. New districts are opening up; 

 new men are engaging in the business; thousands of acres 

 are devoted to peach orchards where none were known 

 before. The area of the Peach is not only widening, but 

 is transferring itself to new fields. But the skill neces- 

 sary to success does not always accompany new enter- 

 prises. Amateurs, fortune-seekers, and novices of all 

 kinds, impelled by the love of Nature, in one of her most 

 beautiful forms, or the hope of fortunes rapidly gained, 

 become planters. The end — covering our beautiful hills, 

 and vales, and plains, with rich, luscious fruits — is a noble 

 and laudable aim. Every one should rejoice at it ; every 

 one should encourage and aid it. It is a public benefac- 

 tion. It should enlist our patriotism and benevolence. 



But the uninstructed must, necessarily, err. Art is not 

 the result of instinct, but the product of education. The 

 unskilled must be taught ; those who do not know how, 

 must learn. Peach growing must be learned as well aa 

 other things ; and, although the interest is already im- 

 mense, and still increasing, yet no practical treatise on 

 ■this subject has been published. Planters who have not 

 had personal experience, have been left to grope in the 

 dark' — to try, fail, and try again. This, in many cases, 

 has been expensive ; in some, ruinous ; in all, vexatious. 

 To avoid this, and to make clear what, to some, at least, 



