1G4 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



United States Department of Agriculture, 

 Division ok Pomology. 



directions for selecting, preparing and sending specimens of 



fruits. 



It is essential that all specimens of fruits sent to this department to 

 be examined by the pomologist, and intended to represent certain va- 

 rieties, should be characteristic in'all respects and should fairly exem- 

 plify their peculiarities. To this end the following instructions should 

 be followed : 



1st. Select such as are of average size, typical in shape and color, 

 and not too soft to carry safely. 



2d. Cut a small branch showing bearing wood, and if possible with 

 one or more fruits and characteristic leaves attached, and when possible 

 another showing the mature one year old wood. It is of the utmost 

 importance, not only to the pomologist in identifying and comparing va- 

 rieties, but also to the artist in making illustrations, that the branches 

 and leaves should accompany the fruit. 



3d. Each fruit, whether attached to a branch or not, should be 

 separately wrapped in several folds of tissue paper,- and then packed in 

 moss, cotton, or very soft papers, to fill the space between the fruit and 

 the box which contains them. 



4th. In sending such as are liable to shrivel, or such as have fresh 

 leaves attached, the packing should be dampened. The box should be 

 wrapped in several folds of strong paper, and securely tied over all 

 with twine. There is no objection to sealing a package sent under a 

 government frank. 



Great care should be used to send nothing by mail that may decay 

 and injure the contents of the mail bags. 



There is no objection to receiving overgrown or curiously marked 

 specimens of fruits which are of special interest. 



Boxes made especially for carrying pomological specimens by mail, 



and franks for pasting on the outside of such packages, will be sent to 



, anyone applying for the same. When a frank of this department is 



used, no postage is required, and such packages may be mailed at any 



post office within the United States. 



