practical prose in this book are interesting; but, as a leafless plant
or bush, laden with fruit, would appear gaunt and naked, so, to the
writer, a book about them without any attempt at foliage and flowers
would seem unnatural. The modern chronicler has transformed history
into a fascinating story. Even science is now taught through the
charms of fiction. Shall this department of knowledge, so generally
useful, be left only to technical prose? Why should we not have a
class of books as practical as the gardens, fields, and crops,
concerning which they are written, and at the same time having much of
the light, shade, color, and life of the out-of-door world? I merely
claim that I have made an attempt in the right direction, but, like an
unskillful artist, may have so confused my lights, shades, and mixed
my colors so badly, that my pictures resemble a strawberry-bed in
which the weeds have the better of the fruit.

Liberal outlines of this work appeared in "Scribner's Magazine," but
the larger scope afforded by the book has enabled me to treat many
subjects for which there was no space in the magazine, and also to
give my views more fully concerning topics only touched upon in the
serial. As the fruits described are being improved, so in the future
other and more skillful horticulturists will develop the literature
relating to them into its true proportions.

I am greatly indebted to the instruction received at various times
from those venerable fathers and authorities on all questions relating
to Eden-like pursuits--Mr. Chas. Downing of Newburg, and Hon. Marshall
P. Wilder of Boston, Mr. J. J. Thomas, Dr. Geo. Thurber; to such
valuable works as those of A. S. Fuller, A. J. Downing, P. Barry, J.
M. Merrick, Jr.; and some English authors; to the live horticultural
journals in the East, West, and South; and, last but not least, to