FRUIT CATALOGUE. 287 



express the gradations of value, for the purpose to which the column is 

 devoted; the first two sub-columns (devoted respectively to dessert and 

 cooking fruits), having reference, strictly, to the quality of the fruit 

 separately considered; and the third or market column, to all the qualities, 

 whether of tree or fruit, that affect the question of profitableness. Under 

 the head of locality, a sub-column is assigned to each of the five districts 

 into which the Lower Peninsula of the state is divided, such divisions 

 being as follows, viz. : 1st district, the eastern tier of counties, from the 

 southern boundry of the state northward as far as its capacity for fruit 

 culture is known; 2d district, the mass of interior counties, omitting 

 the tier along the southern boundary, and those adjoining Lake Michigan; 

 3d district, the southern tier of counties, omitting Monroe on the east 

 and Berrien on the west; 4th district, the lake shore counties from the 

 south line of Berrien northward to and including Muskegon county; 5th 

 district, the counties adjacent to Lake Michigan and its bays, from the 

 north line of Muskegon county, as far northward as their capacity for 

 fruit culture is known. In these columns a * indicates that the variety 

 which it represents is known to succeed in the district; ** that it is especi- 

 ally valuable, and a f that it is on trial and found promising. With the 

 settlement of northern Michigan, and consequently increased knowledge 

 of its horticiiltural capacities, at least three additional districts will be 

 required; one extending from Bay county northward, along the westerly 

 shore of Lake Huron; the second embracing the northerly portion of the 

 present second or interior district, and the third including the Upper 

 Peninsula; which, moreover, may, very probably, require a farther 

 division into eastern and western districts. 



In the column headed "Use and Value," the gradations are arrived at by 

 comparing fruits of a similar character with each other, as sweet apples 

 with sweet apples; also fruits of a given season with others of the same 

 class and season. Many kinds of very little value are added, for the pur- 

 pose of showing by the low values given them, and by remarks in the 

 column for that purpose that, though more or less grown in the state, 

 their farther cultivation is not intended to be encouraged. The leading 

 advantage to the fruit culturists of the state, sought in this catalogue, is to 

 supply all who may wish to plant with a distinct purpose in view, the 

 means of selecting wisely, with reference to such purpose, from the varie- 

 ties which have been properly tested in the state, and found best adapted 

 to the special purpose they shall have in view. 



NOMENCLATURE. 



The nomenclature adopted is that of " Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees 

 of America" — latest edition; modified in compliance with the catalogue of 

 the American Pomological Society, and its Rules of Pomology. 



We have, in very many cases, in which redundant terms are retained by 

 the re visors of the American Society's Catalogue, and in which present 

 popular practice already indicates a tendency toward their elision, included 

 the redundant or objectionable words in brackets, hoping thus to encourage 

 the popular tendency in what may be considered a safe and proper direction. 



8EAS0N OF MATUEITT. 



The season of maturity given is, as nearly as practicable, that of the 

 second and third tiers of counties, reckoning from the south line of the 

 stats. 



