object of every succeeding page. At the same time, I frankly admit
that nothing can take the place of experience. I once asked an eminent
physician if a careful reading of the best medical text-books and
thorough knowledge of the materia medica could take the place of daily
study of actual disease and fit a man for practice, and he
emphatically answered, "No!" It is equally true that an intelligent
man can familiarize himself with every horticultural writer from the
classic age to our own and yet be outstripped in success by an
ignorant Irish laborer who has learned the little he knows in the
school of experience. The probabilities are, however, that the laborer
will remain such all his days, while the thoughtful, reading man, who
is too sensible to be carried away by theories, and who supplements
his science with experience, may enrich not only himself but the
world.

Still, there is no doubt that the chances of success are largely in
favor of the class I first named,--the farmers who turn their
attention in part or wholly toward fruit growing. They are accustomed
to hard out-of-door work and the general principles of agriculture.
The first is always essential to success; and a good farmer can soon
become equally skillful in the care of fruits if he gives his mind to
their culture. The heavy, stupid, prejudiced plodder who thinks a
thing is right solely because his grandfather did it, is a bucolic
monster that is receding so fast into remote wilds before the
horticultural press that he scarcely need be taken into account.
Therefore, the citizen or professional man inclined to engage in fruit
farming should remember that he must compete with the hardy,
intelligent sons of the soil, who in most instances are crowning their
practical experience with careful reading. I do not say this to
discourage any one, but only to secure a thoughtful and adequate