2 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY 



This classification does not assume that prac- 

 tical pomology is anymore "practical," in the 

 vulgar usage of that adjective, than systematic 

 pomology. Practical pomology is practical 

 simply because it deals with the practice of 

 growing fruits without concerning itself about 

 the history, characters, names, or classifica- 

 tions of the fruits themselves. 



The modern evolution of business has made 

 this natural subdivision of pomology into two 

 branches somewhat inadequate to the circum- 

 stances, especially in North America. Fruit 

 growers have found more and more that the 

 fullest knowledge of the fruits themselves, 

 combined with the utmost proficiency in the 

 practice of fruit growing, was insufficient to 

 their needs. To these they have been com- 

 pelled to add an extensive and complicated 

 knowledge of fruit marketing. This makes 

 a third department of pomological science. 

 This knowledge of how to market fruit may 

 properly be called commercial pomology. 



These three branches are very intimately 

 related. In order to grow fruit successfully 

 one ought to know all the characters and 

 relationships of the varieties which he cul- 

 tivates. In order to sell fruit at a profit it is 



