In issuing this book I have no fear of being accused of plagiarism for I never saw an article written on the subject of the pawpaw, but the critics are not all dead. So, having had a little experience I will say, if you should ever contemplate writing a book (no matter about the quality of the book) you may expect criticism, especially by your dear friends and relatives. There are four classes you will come in contact with. Of course there are a few who will sympathize with you and try to give you encouragement by wishing you success. But you will find a second class who will try to make you feel small by saying, "It's all right but don't amount to much." And still there will be a large majority of your professed friends who will treat the matter with silent contempt. They have not even learned that you have published a book, and if their attention is called to it they will not humiliate themselves so much as to look at it, as they have no time to read the "stuff"; and then if you are at all gifted you can read the inward narrowness of their poor dwarfed souls. But do not be discouraged, there is still a fourth class, but greatly in minority, that you had better fear. They are those who are informed on the subject treated. Men who are competent to judge of the merit or demerit of your production. If they endorse your book, by speaking in commendation of it; all else counts but rubbish. If others enjoy talking and writing on subjects that most interest them, you