1888.] TRANSACTIONS. 27 



delphia, A. D. 1883, be re-imbnrsed ; and that this Society adopt 

 a settled policy of representation, within sharply defined limits, 

 at all fnture meetings of Societies of cognate pursuits. 



A subject, of especial interest to all Pomologists, was set forth 

 with great earnestness by the venerable President of the Ameri- 

 can PoMOLOGiCAL SociETY, in his Annual Address : — 



"Our Society has been foremost in the field of Reform in this work 

 (' the establishment of short, plain, and proper rules, to govern the 

 nomenclature and description of our fruits),' but there is imich yet to 

 be done. We should have a system of rules consistent with our 

 Science, regulated by common sense, and which shall avoid ostenta- 

 tious, indecorous, inappropriate and superfluous names. Let us have 

 no more Generals. Colonels, or Captains, attached to the naines of our 

 fruits ; no more Presidents, Governors or titled dignitaries ; no more 

 Monarchs, Kings, or Princes, no more Mammoths, Giants, or Tom 

 Thumbs ; no more Nonsuches, Seek-no furthers, Ne plus ultras. Hog- 

 pens, Sheep-noses, Big Bobs, Iron Clads, Legal Tenders, Sucker 

 States, or Stump-the- Worlds. Let us have no more long, unpro- 

 nounceable, irrelevant, high-flown, bombastic names to our fruits, and, 

 if possible, let us dispense with the now confused terms of Belle, 

 Beurre, Calebasse, Doyenne, Pearniain, Pippin, Seedling, Beauty, 

 Favorite, and other like useless and improper titles to our fruits. The 

 cases are very few where a single word will not form a better name 

 for a fruit than two or more. Thus shall we establish a standard 

 worthy of imitation by oiher nations, and I suggest that we ask the 

 cooperation of all pomological and horticultural societies, in this and 

 foreign countries, in carrying out this important reform."* 



You will doubtless recollect the rigorous contention of your 

 Secretary that the new Belgian Pear might better be named 

 Ansault, than Bonne dn Puits d'Ansault ! That sensible abbre- 

 viation found ready and general assent. A reform, like the one 

 outlined by Col. Wilder (as a matter of nomenclature, it might 

 be asked if he takes exception to his own martial title !) may well 

 command universal acceptance. How far it can be carried is 

 another question. Bosc, and Comice, are intelligible; without 

 the usual prefix of Beurre or Doyenne. But the Northern Spy^ 

 and the Worcester Spy, although handsome and of high quality, 

 are entirely different ; and we may well be in suspense which is 

 meant under the proposed dispensation, when either is brought 

 up for trial. At present, — you would stump the world with your 



* See Appendix A. 



