PREFACE TO 22d EDITION, 1876. 

In these Centennial times it is natural to think of the past and measure our pro- 
gress. We have been running through the file of our old catalogues, and find that 
it is just twenty-six years (1841), since we published the first descriptive edition of 
our Catalogue of Fruits in its present form. These nurseries then occupied 80 
acres of land. 
In 1852 the next edition was published, and then we occupied 200 acres. In 1857 
another edition, and then we covered 400 acres. In 1860 another edition, and then 
we reached 500 acres, and stated that the previous year we had fruited 400 varieties 
of Pear, 300 of Apples, 80 of Plums, 70 of Cherries, besides large collections of 
small fruits. 
In 1871 the area of land covered by our Nurseries had increased to six hundred 
and fifty acres. At that time, asa matter of interest to our correspondents, we made 
the following statement as to how the land was occupied, and some of the details of 
the business conducted : 
Fruit Trees, 450 acres. 
Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, &c., 120 acres. 
Specimen Trees, Fruit and Ornamental, 25 acres. 
Vineyard for-testing Grapes, and bearing small fruit plantation, 30 acres. 
Lawn and Ornamental ground around office and Plant Houses, 25 acres. 
The specimen fruit tree ground contains nearly 2,000 varieties, exclusive of grapes 
and small fruits. The Specimen Ornamental ground is proportionately extensive. and 
contains the most complete collection in this country. Every new tree or plant that 
promises to be of value for this country, is promptly added. 
The Plant Houses are 16in number, and cover fully 30,000 square feet of ground. 
These houses are constructed in a solid block so that visitors can pass from one to the 
other through the whole series without going out of doors. 
In connection with these are a large number of pits and frames, employed in the 
propagation and protection of plants, covering more than an acre of ground. 
The Box Factory, Carpenters’ Shops, Horse-barns and Packing Grounds with neces- 
sary sheds, &c., occupy a separate plot of ground, separated from the office and main 
grounds by Mount Hope Avenue, and are provided with every convenience to lessen the 
labor and facilitate the work. 
The working force consists of about 250 men for eight months, and 50 for four 
months, exclusive of office, and a large number of traveling agents. At times as 
many as four hundred persons have been employed. 
The horse force averages 30, but a considerable amount of horse work is hired in the 
busy season. 
The management of this large business is greatly simplified by the division and sub- 
division of the work—thus: Thereisa general out-door foreman, who advises with 
and aids the proprietors in the general direction of the work, with assistants, as fol- 
lows: One for the fruit trees; one for grapes and small fruits; one who has general 
charge of the ornamental department; one who has special charge of the roses; one of 
evergreens; one of herbaceous plants and bulbs; one for the teams and team work, 
