263 
that of many others, that a research even so defined requires to be repressed within 
its own limits with some severity to prevent its branching and extending indefinite- 
ly. The choice of a subject of observation by each member would be determined 
by his opportunities and special likings, and there is no reason, if opportunity 
serves, why he should not be advancing two or more subjects at the same time. 
Arising out of this I am tempted to allude to the fact, thatiso far as the volumes 
of the Club’s proceedings show, there are still large groups that have received 
absolutely no notice from the Club ; so that the distinguished foreigner, say the 
scientific attaché to the Chinese embassy, might reasonably conclude that Hereford- 
shire was remaraable for containing no mosses or lichens, very few bees, no diptera, 
neuroptera, hemiptera, or orthoptera, no land or fresh water shells, and of many 
smaller groups that they were conspicuous by their absence. There is surely here 
an abundant field even for those who are most diffident of their own powers of 
observation, or who are most deficient in the necessary leisure. 
It only remains to me to thank you for your kindness and forbearance to my 
many shortcomings as your President, and to wish you all prosperity and success 
in your future campaigns. 
POMOLOGY HISTORICALLY CONSIDERED. 
By Rey. C. H. Burmer. 
Among the many subjects important to the country at large, and our 
county in particular, I can think of none more worthy of encouragement than the 
study of Pomology at the hands of so scientific and popular a society as the 
Woolhope Field Club 3 Wucther that subject be enterprised from a literary or 
Scientific, from a recreative or coramercial point of view. 
I hardly know how I come to be reading a paper on this, or, indeed, on any 
subject. Your President asked me to do so, and in a weak moment I consented. 
But this I do know, that Ihave always taken a lively interest in all relating to the 
culture of the apple and pear (the restricted sense, I may hear mention, the Pomo- 
logy of my paper bears), and, although the slight information that I can give, will 
be found both superficial and uninteresting when compared with the knowledge, 
doubtless, of many who are honouring me with their attention, and whose humility 
I might, perhaps, have done well to imitate, still, it shall be my honest endeavour, 
as the bestjrecompense I can make for so great a trial of patience, to supply them 
at any rate with copious materials for friendly discussion afterwards, 
I have chosen the title of my paper,—‘‘ Pomology, historically considered ” 
—to allow full scope for a general sketch of the history, past, present, and future 
of the apple and pear. ; 
