FRUIT CATALOGUE FOR 1879. 



PKEFATORY NOTE. 



Tiie Michigan State Pomological Society in issuing the second edition of 

 its fruit catalogue has nothing to regret in the attempt it has made to dis- 

 seminate accurate information regarding the fruits that have been tested in 

 our State. From every quarter liave come testimonials in its behalf, and 

 although the gathering of the information has been almost entirely the •work 

 of the chairman of the Committee on Catalogue ; still there is a hopeful 

 sign in the promises of those 'svho have given information the past season, 

 that now they know what is wanted, they will be better prepared to ''lend a 

 hand" next year. 



Some criticisms of the plan of the catalogue have been offered by men 

 whose opinions we are glad to receive; still after mature deliberation on the 

 part of the Executive Committee, no important changes in the scope of tlie 

 catalo2fue have been thous^ht desirable. 



There can be no mistaking the intent of grading the long list of fruits, if he 

 who seeks information, carefully observes. the plan of the catalogue and the 

 clearly defined purpose as therein expressed. We can not prepare for the 

 erroneous conclusions that will be drawn by those who open a page of the 

 catalogue and utterly disregard the previous explanations, any more than we 

 can suit our method of speech to all the people who may hear only a single 

 remark in conversation and receive a false impression. All that the society 

 asks of Michigan fruit-growers in handing them this catalogue is, to so far 

 appreciate the work of its President who has the catalogue in charge as to 

 promptly render him all the assistance possible in the annual revision. 



The requests and acknowledgments of the committee can not be better 

 expressed than in the following communication which was received in con- 

 nection with the copy for the revised edition : 



South Haven, Michigan, December 24th, 1879. 

 Sec. Chas. W. Garfield: 



Dear Sir: In submitting the accompanying revision of the society's catalogue 

 for republication, with its transactions for the year 1879, 1, as chairman of the com- 

 mittee charged with this duty, desire to call attention to the fact of its proposed 



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