Vlii PREFACE. 



dens here, but I have had specimens before me for comparison, the 

 growth of no less than fourteen of the different States. There 

 are still many sorts, nominally fine, which remain to be collect 

 ed, compared, and proved ; some of which will undoubtedly de. 

 serve a place in future editions. To the kindness of pomolo- 

 gists in various sections of the country I must trust for the 

 detection of errors in the present volume, and for information of 

 really valuable new varieties.* 



Of the descriptions of fruit, some explanation may be neces- 

 sary. First, is given the standard name in capitals, fol- 

 lowed by the authorities that is, the names of authors who 

 have previously given an account of it by this title. Below 

 this are placed, in smaller type, the various synonymes, or lo- 

 cal names, by which the same fruit is known in various coun- 

 tries or parts of the country. Thus, on page 386, is the follow- 

 ing : 



117. FLEMISH BEAUTY. Lind. Thomp. 



Imperatrice de France. 



Boschpeer. 



Josephine. > incorrectly 



Belle de Flandres. 



Bouche Nouvelle. 



Bosch. 



Bosc Sire. \ Fondante Du Bois. 5 of some. 



By this is signified, first, that FLEMISH BEAUTY is the 

 standard name of the pear ; secondly, that it has been previ- 

 ously described by Lindley and Thompson ; thirdly, that the 

 others synonymes are various local names by which the 

 Flemish Beauty is also known in various places ; and, lastly, 

 that by the two latter names Josephine, and Fondante DuBois 

 it is incorrectly known in some collections ; these two names 

 really belonging to other distinct pears. 



It is at once apparent that one of the chief points of value of a 

 book like this, lies in the accuracy with which these synonymous 

 names are given since a person might, in looking over different 



* It is well to remark that many of the so-called new varieties, especially 

 from the West, prove to be old and well known kinds, slightly altered in 

 appearance by new soil and different climate. A new variety must possess 

 very superiour qualities to entitle it to regard, now that we have so many 

 fine fruits in our collections. 



