Xviii PREFACE TO THE SECOND REVISION. 



before giveu descriptions of the fruits were appended to eacli dLScri})- 

 tion, but owing to the great number of names such a record woiihl 

 now make, and to its little practical benefit, I have omitted it. 



In the labor of ascertaining synonyms and identifying disputed varie- 

 ties, much credit is due to the American Pomological, Massachu 

 setts, Western New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and othei 

 kindred Societies, by their gathering and comparing great numbers of 

 specimens from various i^oiirces, and in the accumulation of knowledge 

 and opinions here reported as tlie result of long-continued examinations 

 of private individuals. But the confusion of names yet exists to a large 

 extent, and while much has been done toward correction, order and accu- 

 racy can only be arrived at when the diiferent varieties are well grown 

 in the same soil and locality, a result only to be realized in an experi- 

 mental garden on a large scale. 



The place of origin of each variety has been attached whenever it 

 could be truly traced or known; but many are noted only as having 

 been received from certain States or sections, their oi'igin being possibly 

 in another State. The period of maturity has been given as its period 

 when fruited here ; but it is well known locations South or North cause 

 great changes in this respect, as well as in quality, and many good long- 

 keeping winter apples of this section, when grown in our Southern 

 States, become early autumn and inferior sorts. Again, nearly all varie- 

 ties of our early summer fruits, although ripened at an earlier period, 

 are equal, if not improved, in size and quality when grown at the South. 



In the revision of a former edition, as well as in aid of revision of 

 the present, I have received valuable notes, specimens of fruits, &c., 

 from a large number of gentlemen, and in here inaking my grateful ac- 

 knowledgments, I desire to I'ecord all names as a simple tribute, al- 

 though some have passed from this land of chaotic terrestiial fruit 

 to that where order and system ever reigns. 



In Massachusetts — to John Milton Earl, Samuel Colton, Geoi-ge A. 

 Chamberlain, and George Jacques, Worcester ; J. C. Stone, Shrewsbury ; 

 F. Burr, Hingham ; Asa Clement, Lowell ; Willis P. Sargent, West 

 Amesbury ; O. V. Hills, Leominster ; Dr. L. W. Pufter, North Bridge- 

 water ; Joseph Merrill, James D. Black, and N. Page, Danversport ; Asa- 

 hel Foote, Williamstown ; Col. E. Stone, Dedham ; Simon Brown, Con- 

 cord ; J, W. Manning, Reading; Marshall P. Wildei-, Dorchester; C. 

 M. Hovey, Boston ; J. F. C. Hyde, Newton Centre ; N. P. Morrison, 

 North Cambridge; M. Ordway, West Newbury; J. W. Clai-k, Fram- 

 ingham ; J. W. Foster, Dorchester ; Sumner Goss, Millbury ; Jona- 

 than Ames, West Bridgewater ; Robert Manning, Salem ; Joel Knapp, 

 Wilkinsonville ; S. W. Cole, Chelsea. 



In Connecticut — to S. D. Pardee and Prof. Eli Ives, New Haven ; 

 Sheldon Moore, Kensington ; George Seymour, Nor walk ; G. W. Gager, 

 Sharon ; P. S. Beers, Southville j D. S. Dewey and Dr. G. W. Russell, 



