INTRODUCTION. 



15 



some locations and soils, while other species and their va« 

 rieties, although of the same genus, will succeed most ad- 

 mirably. These peculiarities of species have given rise 

 to much discussion among fruit-growers. One will assei-t, 

 for instance, that the Raspberry is a total failure in his 

 section, and that it cannot be grown, which may be true 

 in regard to a particular kind or class, but no farther. 

 There is probably no soil in our whole country, unless it 

 be under water or totally barren, in which some one or 

 more kinds of small fruits may not be profitably grown* 

 The great desideratum is, to determine which they are, 

 and the people are looking to experimenters to furnish the 

 required information. 



This is beino; o-iven throuo-h various mediums that are 

 accessible to all, and the rapidly extending culture of this 

 class of fruits shows very clearly that the knowledge 

 gained is put to practical use. The dissemination of sim- 

 ple facts, which are frequently conveyed in a single word 

 or line, is often of more value than a learned and elabo- 

 rate essay. 



We sometimes observe in nurserymen's catalogues, re- 

 ferring to a particular variety, a simple remark like this : 

 " succeeds admirably with me in a light sandy, clayey, or 

 loamy soil," as the case may be, thereby giving a key to 

 the secret of his success and the failure of others. 



There was a time in the history of horticulture when 

 secrets were a merchantable commodity, and the particular 

 methods of propagation and culture were transferred from 

 one gardener to another for a consideration. But those 

 days are past, for the true horticulturist of the present 

 day keeps no secrets that will benefit mankind, but hast- 

 ens to give to the world the advantages which may arise 

 from any discovery he makes, receiving in return that 

 which is of more lasting value than money; the thanks 

 of his co-laborers. It is true, that occasionally a man can 

 '>e found so blind to his own interest and reputation, and 



