190 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY 



ficially, will be satisfied that a general arti- 

 ficial classification is impracticable. The 

 various species differ so materially in some 

 cases that there is hardly enough common 

 ground left for the foundation of an arbitrary 

 system. In the large groups, however, as 

 among the Domestica or the Japanese plums, 

 an artificial classification might be contrived 

 so as to be fairly useful. 



The best arbitrary classification of this 

 sort is the one designed by Dr. Hogg,* cov- 

 ering the Domesticas and the Damsons. This 

 outline is transcribed herewith: 



I. Fruit round. 



i. Summer shoots smooth. 



(A) Skin dark. 



(a) Flesh separating from the stone 

 Nectarine, Peach, Prince of Wales. 



(b) Flesh adhering to the stone Bel- 



gian Purple, Sultan. 



(B) Skin pale. 



(a) Flesh separating from the stone 

 Boddaert, Bryanston, Hand, Green 

 Gage, Reine Claude, f 



* Robert Hogg, "Fruit Manual," p. 532 (ed. 4). London, 

 1875- 



f These are the varieties named by Dr. Hogg, or, at least, a 

 part of them. Many varieties not known in America have 

 beem omitted. Several of the varieties as grown in America 

 would not suit the characterization given for them in this out- 

 line. 



