PREFACE 
In Jaunching the Encycnorrpra or Prictrican HORTICULTURE, we offer, 
as justification for our course, the following reasons: 
First—We are living in the midst of one of the best fruit districts of 
the world and have learned from practical experience what the fruit grower 
needs. We have worked in the orchards and studied the varied conditions 
from the viewpoint of the practical fruit grower. 
Second—Our fruits, especially our apples, command the highest prices 
in the markets of ihe world. This fact is not dependent alone upon the 
physical conditions under which our fruits are produced, but also upon 
the methods applied in growing them and preparing them for the market. 
Third—-We have visited all the principal fruit growing sections of the 
United States and parts of Canada with a view to studying the best con- 
ditions and the best methods for the production of the various kinds of 
fruits. 
Fourth—We have consulted with many of the most prominent horticul- 
turists, both in the schools and in the fields of practical work, and have 
obiained what information we could from all available sources. 
Fifth—We have consulted the literature that seems to us best adapted 
to our needs, and have quoted from the ablest writers on the various sub- 
jects, giving to each and every one due credit. 
Sixth—We have embodied in this work articles from the ablest con- 
iributors and specialists on the particular subjects treated. We have en- 
deavored to bring everything up to date and to condense into three volumes 
that which we believe would be of the most practical benefit to the fruit 
orower. 
We have iried not to be technical. At the same time we believe we 
have been scientific, in that we have aimed to make all of our teachings 
conform io the facts as scientists have discovered them. Where it was pos- 
sible io do so, we have expressed these facts in plain and untechnical 
language. Believing that thousands of fruit growers in this country, who 
are too busy 10 gather all this information for themselves, will be interested 
and profited by such a work, and believing that thousands who live in 
other parts of the United States will be interested in knowing the methods 
we employ for the production of fruits, proven by the prices they command 
to be among the best, we submit this work to the world. 
GRANVILLE LOWTHER 
