PREFACE YU 



The references given are those that have been of use in ascertaining 

 the history, the economic status, or the description of the variety that 

 follows — no more, no fewer. These constitute a very small proportion of 

 the references that have been read — - a tremendous task involving two or 

 three years' work for several persons. 



So, too, it has been a herculean task to search out the synonyms of 

 cherries. French, German, English and American books on pomology 

 overflow with such synonyms and all in a state of " confusion worse con- 

 founded." An enormous amount of work has been done in trying to 

 bring order out of this confusion. Many of the synonyms of varieties 

 have been given in times past because of adaptations to local environ- 

 ment. Such naming of ecologic forms is not an unmixed evil, since it 

 draws attention to variable varieties and characters which otherwise might 

 be overlooked. 



Under the ferment of MendeUan and De Vriesian ideas we seem to be 

 at the beginning of an era of great improvement of plants. There have 

 never been well-directed efforts to improve fruits, yet something has been 

 done with all. Now, when there is an onrush of new discoveries in plant- 

 breeding, seems to be a particularly opportune time to tell all that can be 

 learned about how cherries have been brought from their wild state to their 

 present perfection. This we try to do in giving the origin and history of 

 varieties, especially as to parentage and manner of origin, though such 

 information is scant and very fragmentary. 



As in the previous fruit books some prominence is given in foot-notes 

 to biography. A knowledge of the career of those who have been giants 

 in their day in the development of any industry is most helpful to the best 

 understanding, indeed, is almost indispensable to the fullest comprehension, 

 of the industry. The short foot-notes, it is hoped, will serve to give some 

 conception of what the master builders in pomology were like in training, 

 character, and methods of work. From the reception which these sketches 

 in former fruit books have received, the writers feel that the considerable 

 expenditure of time and thought that these biographical notices have 

 required is amply justified and that the effort to give credit due and 

 some small honor to the promoters of pomology has been well worth while. 



For aid in the preparation of The Cherries of New York I am especially 

 indebted to those whose names appear on the title page, to my associate, 

 Mr. R. D. Anthony, for reading proof; to the Station editor, Mr. F. H. 



