Joseph Harvey Gourley

Modern Fruit Production Joseph Harvey Gourley

Modern Fruit Production by JOSEPH HARVEY. PREFACE: Orcharding and small fruit culture represent a major phase of American agriculture, both domestic and export. With the in tensified development of the industry, the science of horticulture becomes more complex, and the professional horticulturist, the student, and the grower all feel the need of additional training and a ready source of recent research. Not only the American, but also the foreign, literature is increasing rapidly, and every branch of study demands consideration. The student of fruit culture, whether in or outside college, should have a grasp of general concepts. He should strive to interpret physiology, morphology, soils, chemistry, and other fundamental sciences in terms of fruit plants and their products. The authors hope that they have presented the fundamentals in such a way that they become of vital concern to the serious student. At the same time, they have endeavored to present the most acceptable practices of American fruitgrowing. Pomology has developed into a science in its own right, similar in its fundamental background to other plant sciences. The horti culturist must always remember, however, that he is the representa tive of a vast industry, and that his scientific efforts and leadership must be based on practical considerations. No effort is made, therefore, to force scientific data into this text except as they form a basis for modern fruit production. The general subject of insect and disease control has not been included in this volume. The field is so extensive and specialized as to lie outside our immediate purposes hence only incidental reference is made to sprays and spray practice. The present volume represents a complete rewriting and expan sion of the Text-Book of Pomology. While a few portions of it remain much the same as they were in the original text, by far the major vi PREFACE portion of material is entirely new both as to American and foreign sources. ...