ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.--It is but an act of common justice for an author to acknowledge his indebtedness to those who have aided him in his labors, especially where, from the nature of the investigations, so much material has to be drawn from extrinsic sources. Upon the present occasion, instead of an extended parade of references to the productions of other writers, which might be looked upon as rather pedantic, it is preferred to make a general acknowledgment of the important assistance derived from many pomological authors of our own country and of Europe. Quotations are credited on the pages where they occur. But the writer is also under great obligations to a host of co-laborers for the assistance they have kindly rendered him in the collecting, and in the examination and identification of fruits. Such friends he has happily found wherever he has turned in the pursuit of these investigations, and there are others whom it has never been his good fortune to meet face to face. To name them all would be impossible. The contemplation of their favors sadly recalls memories of the departed, but it also revives pleasant associations of the bright spirits that are still usefully engaged in the numerous pomological and horticultural associations of our country, which have become important agencies in the diffusion of valuable information in this branch of study. To all of his kind friends the author returns his sincere thanks. With a feeling of hesitation in coming before the public, but satisfied that he has made a contribution to the fund of human knowledge, this volume is presented to the Horticulturists of our country, for whom it was prepared by their friend and fellow-laborer, JNO. A. WARDER. ASTON, January 1, 1867. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. 9 CHAPTER II. 26 HISTORY OF THE APPLE. CHAPTER III. 52 PROPAGATION. CHAPTER IV. 144 DWARFING. CHAPTER V. 160 DISEASES. CHAPTER VI. 198 THE SITE FOR AN ORCHARD. CHAPTER VII. 213 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL FOR AN ORCHARD. CHAPTER VIII. 229 SELECTION AND PLANTING. CHAPTER IX. 242 CULTURE, ETC. CHAPTER X. 251 PHILOSOPHY OF PRUNING. CHAPTER XI. 263 THINNING. CHAPTER XII. 275 RIPENING AND PRESERVING FRUITS. CHAPTER XIV. 294 INSECTS.