148 POPULAR ERRORS. 



and different names often exist for varieties which 

 are practically the same. These are sometimes the 

 result of accident, but often due to the desire to 

 reap the commercial advantage of every slight 

 improvement. Professional growers are rarely 

 misled by this multiplicity of names, but to others 

 it is frequently a source of confusion and loss. 

 r It may not be easy at all times to say when the 

 use of a new name is justifiable and when it is not. 

 Every decided improvement is entitled to a new 

 designation of some sort, and those who have made 

 the improvement, or who have this new variety for 

 sale, are entitled to the full benefit to be derived 

 from a new name. The public, however, have a 

 right to say that the name shall in no way mis- 

 represent or obscure the character of the variety, 

 but so far as practicable shall indicate its character. 

 The adoption of sensational names, therefore, 

 instead of simple and appropriate ones, and the un- 

 necessary suppression of the botanical or systematic 

 name, is liable to create the suspicion of an inten- 

 tion to mislead; and this suspicion is apt to be con- 

 firmed in case the merits of the novelty are over- 

 stated. A recent example of this kind is that of 

 the Japanese Wine Berry, a raspberry which had 

 been for some time in cultivation as an ornamental 

 plant under its botanical name. The plant was 

 certainly entitled to a common name, but it would 



