cation of names. In matters pertaining to nomenclature, the revised 

 rules of the American Pomological Society have been followed, though in 

 a few cases it has not seemed best to make changes wliich their strict 

 observance would have required. The necessity for rules is shown by an 

 examination of the synonymy of any considerable number of varieties as 

 given in the body of the work. In some cases varieties have from ten 

 to twenty names and very often different varieties are found to have the 

 same name. This chaotic condition is confusing and burdensome and it 

 has been one of the aims in the preparation of the work to set straight the 

 horticultural nomenclature of the grape, thus lessening the difficulty and 

 uncertainty of identification and making the comparative study of varieties 

 easier. 



It would be impossible, and not worth while, could it be done, to give 

 all of the references to be found in even the standard grape literature. 

 Only such have been given as have been found useful by the writers or as 

 would serve to give the future student of the literature of grape varieties 

 a working basis. 



A brief history of each variet\- is given so far as it can be determined 

 by correspondence and from grape literature. In these historical sketches 

 the originator and his method of work justly receive most attention. The 

 place, date and circumstances of origin, the distributor, and the present 

 distribution of the variety, are given when known and are of about equal 

 importance in the plan of this work. 



The technical descrij)tions of grapes are all first-hand and made by 

 members of the present horticultural department of the Station from 

 living plants. But rarely has it been necessary to go to books for any one 

 character of a vine or fruit though tlie leading authorities have been con- 

 sulted in the final writing of tlie descriptions and modifications made when 

 the weight of authority has been against the records of the Station. Some 

 difi"erences must be expected between descriptions of varieties made in 

 different years, different localities and by different men. For most part 

 the varieties described are growing on the Station grounds but every oppor- 

 tunit\- lias been taken to study several specimens of cacli variety and 

 especially of the fruit. In manv instances the descriptions have been sub- 

 mitted to the originators, introducers, or to some recognized grape specialist. 



