BREEDING 221 



Nomenclature of the American Pomological Society has 

 exerted a strong influence for simplicity and clearness in 

 naming varieties. In brief, the Code recommends that 

 the name consist of a single word, whenever possible, and 

 never more than two words ; it should not include super- 

 fluous and grandiose terms such as Seedling, Beauty, 

 Mammoth or Wonder, nor any titles, as General, Senator 

 or Lady ; the use of the possessive, as in Boyden's Mam- 

 moth, is not advisable; the name should be distinctive, 

 easy to pronounce and spell and preferably indicate some- 

 thing of the origin or parentage of the variety. 



Usually it is best to name a variety for the originator, in- 

 troducer, place of origin or for some distinctive feature of its 

 appearance or behavior. When named for a certain per- 

 son, it is permissible to use both family and given names ; 

 as Frances Cleveland, but not Mrs. Cleveland. Varieties 

 should not be named for persons without their consent. 

 It is an embarrassing fact that practically all of the 

 varieties named for horticultural celebrities have not 

 achieved distinction; consider, for example, the E. P. 

 Roe, Peter Henderson, T. T. Lyon and Marshall P. 

 Wilder. The Hovey and Charles Downing are notable 

 exceptions. 



Some years ago it was suggested that varieties be named 

 so as to indicate their sex, but this has not been done to 

 any extent. It does not seem appropriate, however, for 

 Lady Thompson, Eleanor, Jessie, Margaret, Louise, 

 Belle, Annie Laurie, Brunette, Gertrude and Mrs. Mark 

 Hanna to be male or staminate varieties, while Mark 

 Hanna, Col. Cheney and Big Bob are female or pis- 

 tillate varieties. Since the pistillate sorts are being 

 gradually eliminated, there is no need to consider this 

 matter further. 



