VI INTRODUCTION. 



FAIR OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, 



New York, Oct. 23rd, 1841. 



A. Hoffy, Esq. My dear Sir I am happy to inform you that the " Orchardist's Companion" has 

 been awarded a Silver Medal, and also recommended to special notice, which will be made public, &c. 



Very respectfully yours, 



T. DUNLAP. 



I will here make an extract or two, from the numerous encomiums of the press, which appeared at 

 the time, deeming them appropriate to this occasion. 



" The ' Orchardist's Companion,' we have examined with careful interest we conceive that a 

 publication of this kind is greatly needed, and that the extension of it is the best possible means of 

 promoting the culture of fine fruits, and insuring success to the labor bestowed. The publisher is Mr. 

 A. Hoffy, who edits the work, &c." National Gazette. 



" The ' Orchardist's Companion.' This beautiful and valuable work has just appeared, and is 

 embellished with some of the most superb colored engravings of fruits we have ever seen no work of 

 the kind has ever appeared in this Country, and from the ability shown in the editorial management and 

 the superior character of the plates, it cannot fail, we think, of creating no ordinary sensation. The 

 whole work is got up in a very superior manner, and apart from its utility as a work of reference, it is a 

 most beautiful ornament for the centre-table." Saturday Chronicle. 



It was now suggested to me by Dr. Brinckle, to publish a Pomological work solely on our Native 

 Fruits, in which new enterprise I gladly embarked, after he had in the first instance kindly consented 

 to give me his editorial services, provided I received them gratuitously, and we gave it the title of the 

 " American Pomologist." Unfortunately the whole edition of this valuable work was subsequently 

 consumed, uninsured, in the conflagration of the Artisan Building, in Ranstead Place. 



All the Fruits figured in the North American Pomologist, are from choice and well cultivated spe- 

 cimens of full growth and luxuriance, showing to what perfection they can be brought when the trees 

 are raised with proper care and attention. 



The North American Pomologist, not being a local work, nor connected with any Horticultural or 

 Pomological Society, Establishment, or Association, contributions of native or seedling fruits, their 

 histories, properties, descriptions, &c., are respectfully solicited, and for which due credit will always 

 be given in the work to each contributor. 



Dr. J. E. Shreve having, from pure zeal in the cause, connected himself with this work, it is par- 

 ticularly requited that all communications in relation thereto be addressed to him or to me. 



The North American Pomologist will be published from time to time in books, neatly bound in 

 muslin, each to contain thirty-six distinct pages of different Native Fruits, with full letter press descrip- 

 tions, histories, &c., accompanying. 



E;ich book will be complete in itself and independent of the other, so that purchasers will be en- 

 abled to suit their own views and tastes, without the necessity of going beyond the purchase of one 

 book, when not deemed expedient not more than three will be published in the whole, unless a fourth 

 should afterwards be called for. 



Respectfully, 



A. HOFFY. 



PHILADELPHIA, May, 1860. 



