THE NOMENCLATURE OF FRUITS. 209 



only, having a meaning somewhat appropriate to the variety ; 

 but sometimes we meet with obstacles to the application of this 

 principle, as in the case of the Clapp's Favorite pear, there being 

 also a Frederick Clapp and a Lemuel Clapp. So, also, we cannot 

 omit .the word Winter from "Winter Nelis, because there is an 

 Autumn Nelis and a Barbe Nelis ; and other instances might be 

 given. Among apples we have several Spitzenbergs, Russets, 

 etc., words which should be dispensed with as far as possible, but 

 we cannot always drop them. Again, the terms "Beauty" and 

 " Choice," as well as "Favorite," not being, distinctive appella- 

 tions, are in most instances better dispensed with. There are 

 manj' other terms which are senseless and useless, such as Seedling 

 and Pippin (the latter of the same signification as the former, 

 but applied only to apples) ; for all varieties of fruits are originally 

 seedlings. Those renowned fruits — the Baldwin apple, the Bartlett 

 pear, and the Concord grape — afford examples of short, appropriate, 

 sensible, and easily remembered names, and it is to be hoped that 

 in the future many such varieties may be added to those we already 

 possess, and be dedicated to perpetual remembrance by equally 

 appropriate names. In a word, we desire to establish a sj'stem of 

 nomenclature which shall be pure and plain in its diction, pertin- 

 ent and proper in its application, and which shall be an example, 

 not only to our own, but to other countries. 



H. Weld Fuller said that all would approve the remarks of Ex- 

 President Wilder in regard to improper or irrelevant names. It 

 is desirable that all names of fruits should have reference to 

 locality, qualit}-, or other characteristics. 



O. B. Hadweu said that those who originate new fruits worthy 

 of cultivation, instead of giving them local names, should bring 

 them before a horticultural society and have names bestowed by a 

 competent committee, and then they would go out with proper 

 authority. An excellent apple which originated in Worcester 

 County was called the Hog-pen, because the original tree sprang 

 up near a hog-pen ; and this is the wa3- such names creep in ; but 

 in ,this case the name was changed by the Worcester Count}' Hor- 

 ticultural Society to Holden Pippin, which all must admit to be a 

 great improvement. The subject is a very important one, and not 

 only apples and pears, but all fruits, large and small, and also 

 ornamental trees, plants, and flowers should be named by horti- 

 cultural societies after careful consideration. 

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