PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



Within the last few years, fruit culture, in all its variC' 

 ties, has greatly increased in this country ; so that, to-day, 

 it is one of the leading interests. Frnit growers' associa- 

 tions have been formed, and many periodicals established, 

 to advocate and advance their interests. Their usefulness 

 has been undoubted, and their -success very encouraging. 



Amongst the fruits, tlie Peach, if not the most, is one 

 of the most important of all. It is so easily raised, comes 

 into bearing so soon, and is so delicious, as well as beau- 

 tiful, it is impossible that it should not be a favorite. 



The consequence is that, in the sections specially con- 

 ducive to its cultivation, almost every farm has an orchard, 

 and some farms are but one continuous oi-chard; and 

 sometimes farm after farm is devoted to peaches. Within 

 the circle of our own knowledgCj the quantity of land 

 planted in peaches, by individual planters, varies from 

 five acres to six hundred. Some planters have set as 

 many as twenty thousand trees in a single season. Or- 

 chards of twenty, thirty, and fifty acres are not at all in- 

 frequent. 5 



Living in the very center of the peach-growing district ; 

 sharing the common interest felt in the subject ; deeply 

 impre!<sed with its importance to the individual planters 

 themselves, and also to the community at large ; and be- 

 lieving that we could do a lasting benefit to both, have 

 induced us to prepare, and now ofier to the public, the 

 following little treatise on peach culture. 



