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Hooperh Western Fruit Booh. By E. J. HooPER, of Cincinnati. From the press 

 of Moore, Wilstaeh, Keys & Co., 1857. 



As a concise descriptive catalogue of fruits, tlie plan of this work is adapted 

 to the purpose for which it was designed. Without entering into the minute and 

 elaborate descriptions which enable the pomologist to identify varieties, it gives 

 such prominent characteristics of each kind as will answer ordinary practical 

 purposes of the cultivator. 



We regret that the author did not designate the quality of each fruit 1)y the 

 epithets recommended by the American Pomological Society — "good," "very 

 good," " best." This, however, will probably be done in a subsequent edition, 

 at which time, no doubt, a careful revision will be made, and sundry errors (some 

 of them typographical) contained in the present edition will be corrected. For 

 instance, the Sheldon Pear is not a foreign variety, but a native of Xew York ; 

 Beurre Preble is stated (at page 125) to be " not very good," and (at page 1.30) 

 as being "worthy;" Doyenne du Cornice is printed "Doyenne de Cornice;" 

 " Triomphe de Jordoigne" should be Triomphe de Jodoigne ; " Cornel's Favorite" 

 should be Cornell's Favorite; the "Bannet" Raspberry should be Barnet ; the 

 Cushing Raspberry is not of a " cream color," nor is the French; both are crimson 

 varieties. 



Welcoming as we do every attempt to impart reliable information on the topics 

 treated in this work, we yet have a duty to perform to our readers ; under this 

 impression, we must be permitted to point out a few peculiarities of the author 

 which it would have been well if he had avoided. Book making is evidently a 

 new business to Mr. Hooper, and such being the case, he will probably not take 

 amiss a few remarks that occur after an examination of his work. 



However excellent the plan with which the writer set out, he has fallen into a 

 rambling and confused mode of treating his subject which is anything but satis- 

 factory. As an instance (at pages 160-61), in describing the " Glout Morceau" 

 Pear, we have an account of the " Winter Nelis" at more extent than the pear 

 under consideration ; on turning to Winter Nelis, very little is said about it, and 

 there being no index, a reader anxious to know all about the latter, will have to 

 search a long time to find what he wants. 



Under the head of " Kirtland Pear," we are treated to the following rambling 

 "remarks:" — 



" Raised by Dr. Kirtland, of Cleveland, Ohio, a goofl pomologist, a man of very scientific 

 attainments, and of versatile talents. Texture, fine, melting, juicy, and rich. Flavor, 

 aromatic, sweet, and in the highest degree delicious. Tree, hardy and productive. Obtained 

 from the seed of Seckel. Dr. Kirtland has been most successful in raising very valuable 

 and delicious cherries from the seed (which will be noticed in their proper place), as well 

 as some other fine seedling fruits. He is always indefatigable in the pursuits of horticul- 

 ture and science." 



Indeed, Mr. Hooper luxuriates on the Pear topic, and crowds irrelevant sub- 

 jects under the descriptions, which should have been placed in a separate chapter. 

 As an example, take the following, under the head of Seckel Pear : — 



" ' Best grafted on the apple (a singularity), reserving part of the apple branches, 

 large size and flavor.' So says Mr. Gabriel Sleath, an experienced horticulturist and 



