CHAPTER I. 



ABRIDGED DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECT VARIETIES OF FRUITS. 



THE accumulation of varieties of fruits within the last 

 twenty years has been so great, that anything like a com- 

 plete description or account of them all, would in itself ex- 

 ceed the bounds of a moderate-sized volume. Taken al- 

 together, there are perhaps at this moment no fewer than 

 four thousand different varieties under cultivation. To 

 trace out the history, the peculiar characters and merits 

 of these, must be the work of the pomologist, and forms 

 no part in the design of this treatise. In making the fol- 

 lowing selections, and in describing them, pomological 

 system and minuteness have not been deemed essential, 

 nor would they be practicable within the necessary limits. 



The main object aimed at is, to bring to the notice of 

 cultivators the best varieties, those which ample experi- 

 ence has proved to be really valuable, or which upon a 

 partial trial give strong indications of becoming so. 

 Nothing is more embarrassing to the inexperienced culti- 

 vator than long lists ; and many will no doubt be inclined 

 to think that a large number of the following varieties 

 might very well be dispensed with. But it must be re- 

 membered that our country, even the great fruit-growing 

 regions of it, possess different climates, that there are 

 various qualities of soils, various tastes and circumstances 

 of individuals, to be provided for. A dozen or twenty 

 sorts of apples or pears may be as many as one person 



