46 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



Cumberland, Triumph, Glendale, Crescent, and Sharpless. The 

 Kentucky has not succeeded well with me, though it does well with 

 others not far from me. The James Vick is very prolific, but the 

 berries are too small. 



3Ir. Holsinger, of Kansas — The Thwack raspberry is too poor in 

 quality and the Gregg is but little better. The Hopkins, origina- 

 ting near this city, is one of the best of the black cap class. 



Mr. Pierce, of Minnesota — The Gregg and Davidson's Thornless 

 are both poor with us. 



Mr. Pearce, of Ohio — I think a variety does best in the vicinity 

 where it originates. This fact will, doubtless, explain the ditfer- 

 ence of opinions expressed here. 



Pres. Earle then read the following letter from Hon. Marshall P. 

 Wilder, President of the American Pomological Society: 



LETTER FROM COL. WILDER. 



Boston, Mass., Dec. 17. — My good friend: I have received the notice of your 

 grand Mississippi Valley Society, and wish I could he with you, hut fourscore and 

 five stares me in the face and warns me to be mindful of my steps. You have ere 

 this received the circular of the American Pomological Society in regard to the 

 nomenclature of fruits. This country is ahead of the old world in pomology, and 

 it is our duty to lead in a true republican manner. Thomas, Downing, Barry, Man- 

 ning, etc., etc., are wide awake on the subject. The Massachusetts Horticultural 

 Society, Michigan and several other societies have passed votes to adopt the no- 

 menclature of the American Pomological Society. Marshall P. Wilder. 



The letter was followed by the reading of the extract on nomen- 

 clature referred to. 



NOMENCLATURE OF FRUITS. 

 [Kxtrnet from President Wilder's Address.] 

 In former addresses, I have spoken to you of the importance of the establishment 

 of short, j)li)in, and proper rules, to govern the nomenclature and description of our 

 fruits, and of our duty in regard to ii ; ami I desire once more to enforce these opin- 

 ions on a subject which I deem of imperative importance. Our Society has been 

 foremost in tlie field of reform in this work, but there is much yet to l)e done. We 

 should have a system of rules consistent with our science, regulated by common 

 sense, and which shall avoid ostentatious, indecorous, inappropriate, and superflu- 

 ous names. Such a code your coimuitlee luive in hiind, and I commend its adopt- 

 ion. Let us have no more Generals, Colonels or C'aj)tains attached to the names ol 

 our fruits; no more Presidents, Governors, or titled dignitaries; no more Monarchs, 

 Kings, or Princes; no more Mammoths, Giants, or Tom Thumbs; no more None- 

 suches, Seek-no-further», Ne Plus Ultras, Hog-i)ens, Sheep-noses, Big Bobs, Ironcla''s, 



