PREFACE. 



It is much to be regretted, that of late years, so little attention 

 has been given in this country, to the study of pomology, and that 

 so few efforts have been made to encourge a taste for this most 

 important, most instructive, and intellectual branch of horticultural 

 science. 



Towards the end of the last, and beginning of the present century, 

 when the late Mr. Knight was in the full vigor of his scientific 

 pursuits, this was the subject which engaged so much of his power- 

 ful intellect, and from which he succeeded in producing such great 

 and beneficial results. With Mr. Knight as president, and Mr. 

 Sabine as secretary, the Horticultural Society of London did much 

 for the advancement of this subject, and in extending a knowledge 

 not only of the fruits of this country, but of the most valuable varieties 

 of the continent of Europe, and America. Through the exertions 

 of these gentlemen, and in conjunction with the illustrious pomo- 

 logists, Dr. Diel and Professor Van Mons, and other eminent conti- 

 nental correspondents, was obtained that vast collection of fruits 

 which once existed in the Society's garden ; and by means of which 

 that great undertaking of determining and arranging the nomencla- 



