FOREWORD 
"Fruit-growers have the highest average prosperity 
of any class of farm people In the world.' —Annual 
Report U. S. Chamber of Commerce. 
Many people have taken up fruit-growing because of the profits 
others have made or because they felt it offered a pleasant occupation 
as well as a good living. 
Among the most successful fruit-growers there are many busi- 
ness and professional men who at the start had no experience and little 
or no knowledge of fruit-growing or farming. 
Their success was due first to careful study and planning, and 
then to following the right principles and methods. They were willing 
to learn and determined to succeed. 
Now, whether one wishes to grow fruit to ship to distant markets 
or to supply local demands, or for one's own table, there is the same 
need of knowing how." 
There are many sources from which one may secure reliable in- 
formation on fruit-growing, such as the State Experimental Stations, 
the Universities, and the United States Department of Agriculture. 
There are also many books on one or more phases or departments of 
horticulture. 
But there was a great need for a simple, concise, reliable guide for 
the average man, and it was particularly to our own interest to furnish 
such a book, because success and satisfaction with the best of trees 
and plants depend upon the planter himself. 
If you intend to ship to distant markets, you will find it best 
to confine your planting to a few varieties, and your choice should be 
governed by the following factors, arranged in the order of importance: 
Adaptability to your climate and soil, productiveness, hardiness, resist- 
ance to disease and insect troubles, keeping qualities, color, size, and 
quality. 
If it is your purpose to sui)ply local markets, it is advisable to se- 
lect a greater number of varieties which ripen over a long season, and 
you can also lay more emphasis on quality and less on keeping qualities. 
For home use, your choice should be governed by many of the 
same factors, but rather in this order: quality, succession of ripening, 
hardiness, resistance to disease and insect troubles, productiveness, 
and, last of all, color and size. 
The greatest opportunity for the farmer and others is in supply- 
ing local markets. 
Give fruit-growing the same attention and care that you would 
have to give any other business — farming included — and you will be 
amply repaid. A few years ago the average return from fruit crops 
was $96.08 more per acre than from cereal crops. 
You will, of course, study your own particular conditions and vary 
the application of the fundamental principles according to your needs. 
With best wishes for your success. 
Sincerely yours, 
4th Edition NEOSHO NURSERIES COMPANY, 
Copyright, 1920. Neosho, Missouri. 
