adopted hy the Mass. Hort. Soc, with Remarks. 103 



XI. "When two persons have named or described a new native fruit, then 

 the name and description first published, if according to the rules herein in- 

 dicated, shall have the priority. 



Leaving out the words " if according to the rules herein in- 

 dicated," this is the only important rule among the whole 

 thirteen, for it advocates priority. 



XII. No person, introducing new fruits from abroad, shall be allowed to 

 re-christen the same, or give them his own name ; but shall submit the 

 same to some competent pomologist to ascertain the true name. 



. This rule has nothing very objectionable. But it does not 

 express its object in a very perspicuous manner. 



XIII. In deciding the names of fruits already described, the latest edi- 

 tion of the " Catalogue of the London Horticultural Society" shall be con- 

 sidered the standard European authority, and the latest edition of Down- 

 ing 's " Fruits and Fruit Trees of America" the standard American author- 

 ity. 



This rule is of some import. It adopts, for standard au- 

 thority, two pomological works, and makes it imperative that 

 all names shall be referred to these authorities. We have 

 heretofore given our opinion in relation to the standard char- 

 acter of the Cataloo-ue of the Lond. Hort. Soc, and have, in 

 most instances, been governed by it, as our readers well know : 

 but, where known and palpable errors occur, we have not been 

 so prejudiced, or blind to the interests of pomology, as to adopt 

 them. Our correspondent, Mr. Humrickhouse, in the article 

 before referred to, has expressed our views so fully on this 

 point, that we quote his words : — 



" A few have had recourse to the authority of the London 

 Horticultural Society. No authority, merely as such, is bet- 

 ter. As worthy co-laborers in the work, none have gone be- 

 yond, or contributed more " to bring order out of confusion" 

 in the arrangement of the nomenclature of fruits. Their suc- 

 cess is hailed with satisfaction, and their decisions are re- 

 ceived with deference. In most cases, and until the contrary 

 is shewn, we need not hesitate in adopting them ; in some, 

 the weight of testimony in the opposing scale may oblige us 

 to reject them." 



