REVIEW OF PROGRESS, 1844. 267 



should be cultivated in different soils and aspects by 

 different individuals, and the various fruits brought 

 together for comparison at the weekly and annual exhi- 

 bitions of the Society. This work, which was in active 

 progress at the time of which we write, may now be 

 considered as substantially accomplished. 



Not only were the most desirable fruits unknown, 

 but there was much confusion and perplexity in their 

 names. Trees received from various nurseries and hor- 

 ticultural establishments in the New, as well as the 

 Old World, under different names, proved synonymes 

 of the same variety. The opportunities afforded to 

 amateurs and others, at the exhibitions of the Society, 

 to examine specimens from many different sources, were 

 the means of throwing much light on the subject ; and 

 the mist and darkness which had surrounded it were 

 gradually disappearing. The present advanced state 

 of pomological knowledge has only been attained 

 through the indefatigable labors of fruit committees 

 and other cultivators in identifying and fixing in their 

 minds the distinguishing characters of varieties, in 

 establishing their true names and synonymes, and in 

 ascertaining their flavor and quality, and the habits 

 and productiveness of the trees. Many new native 

 fruits were brought to notice from time to time, which 

 have been mentioned as they appeared ; but we may 

 particularly recall here the Hubbardston Nonsuch, 

 Porter, and Northern Spy apples, the Tyson and Law- 

 rence pears, and the Hovey's Seedling strawberry. 



The lovers of flowers were not less diligent in col- 

 lecting every novelty in their department. The new 

 and rare specimens shown from week to week pre- 

 sented to the community such combinations of beauty 



