100 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The revised Catalogue of Fruits prepared under the joint auspices of 

 the American Pomological Society and the division of pomology of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture is herewith submitted. 



In making this revision the chairman of the committee on revision has 

 availed himself of the experience of his able predecessor, Hon. T. T. Lyon, 

 and. through correspondence, of many practical pomologists. Many sources 

 of information have been sought and repeated efforts have been made to 

 secure accurate and conservative opinion on the merits of varieties and 

 their adaptability to the several districts. But notwithstanding these ef- 

 forts the chairman of your committee is aware that this revision is not 

 without defects. 



The highest aim and desire of your committee has been to present re- 

 liable data concerning the behavior of varieties in various sections of our 

 country. If this desire has not been realized it has been largely due to the 

 difficulties experienced in outlining districts sufficiently homogeneous in 

 soil, climate, and other important features, and in securing responses to the 

 numerous inquiries sent out to practical fruit growers. While these diffi- 

 culties have been quite real, it is yet due the fruit growers to say that 

 they are as a class very generous in giving out information gathered 

 through their experience. 



Actuated by a desire to make the work as reliable as possible and there- 

 fore a safe guide to planters and others seeking such information, the 

 w^ork of this revision has been done at Washington, where easy access 

 could be had to the library and records of the division of pomology as 

 well as opportunity for frequent consultations with the pomologist and 

 his corps of assistants. All uncertainties of origin, nomenclature, etc., 

 have been carefully investigated with a view to arriving at correct con- 

 clusions. 



The general plan of the catalogue is based on that of its immediate pred- 

 ecessor, which was largely the work of that eminent pomologist, the 

 former chairman of your committee on revision, Hon. T. T. Lyon, of Mich- 

 igan. The districts have been somewhat changed in boundaries and in- 

 creased in number, in order, if possible, to conform more closely to prac- 

 tical as well as scientific principles. The map has also been enlarged and 

 the boundaries of the districts made more distinct. 



In view of the lack of knowledge on the part of any but a resident ex- 

 pert concerning the behavior of varieties and the true status of fruit grow- 

 ing in that section of our country bordering on the Pacific coast, Prof. E. 

 J. Wickson, of the University of California, was appointed by the pomolo- 

 ' gist to prepare that portion of the catalogue which is embraced in dis- 

 tricts Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, and this revision is based almost wholly 

 on his report. The thanks of your committee are extended to Professor 

 Wickson for his valuable services. 



The list of public-spirited fruit growers generously contributing assist- 

 ance is too large to attempt individual acknowledgment, but on behalf 

 of the society and its committee, I feel bound to refer especially to the in- 

 valuable aid of Colonel Brackett and his able assistant, Mr. William A. 

 Taylor. 



Respectfully submitted, 



W. H. RAGAN, Chairman. 



