METHODS OF WORK IN SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY 89 



132. The requisites of a good description. — The first step in 

 the study of a fruit is to make a written description of it. De- 

 scriptions are the foundation and framework of systematic 

 pomology. No one can hope to see all of the varieties in any 

 of the major fruits at one time and must, therefore, depend on 

 his own or the descriptions of another in the work of classifying. 

 A good description of plant and fruit, to one equipped to in- 

 terpret it, is far more satisfactory than models or herbarium 

 specimens which show but parts of what must be studied. There 

 are no definite rules for making descriptions ; individuality must 

 have full play, and each worker must describe what he sees. 

 However, some requisites to a good description can be set forth. 



133. Two methods of describing fruit. — There are two 

 methods of describing plants. In one, all prominent characters 

 of the plant are described; in the other, for the most part, only 

 the differential characters by which the plant is distinguished 

 from its nearest relatives are depicted. In good descriptions 

 there is always a combination in greater or less degree of the 

 two methods, but one or the other predominates. In a botanical 

 description it is a question whether the second method is not 

 the better if combined with a terse general account of the plant 

 as a whole, but in pomology every character of importance to 

 the systematist or the cultivator must be described, for few 

 who read pomological literature have the knowledge or training 

 to estimate correctly plant differences which can be set forth 

 only by one familiar with the whole field of systematic pomology. 



134. The necessity of full descriptions. — In a full pomological 

 description stem, branch, leaves, flowers, and fruit must be 

 described. Insufficient characterization is the chief fault of 

 systematic pomology. The need of fullness is more and more 

 recognized; however, sometimes too much is written. Seldom, 

 indeed, is it necessary to describe every aspect of a fruit, and 

 a judicious selection of the characters must be made. Even 

 when all important characters are to be described, much em- 

 phasis must be placed on the differential marks of the plant 

 whereby it can be most easily distinguished from its nearest 

 relatives. Finally, information must be given as to the origin, 

 history, originator, range of the fruit, and a statement of where 

 grown. 



