PREFACE TO PART II. 



In tendering to the public the second volume of the Pomological Manual, it 

 may be proper to indulge in a few remarks, explanatory of the views and objects 

 of the author. It being found impossible to comprise descriptions of ail the valu- 

 able varieties of fruits within the limits of the two volumes, more particularly 

 as the varieties of apples alone would occupy nearly or quite an entire volume 

 of the present size, it has been deemed the best course to concentrate, in the first 

 and second volumes, as great a variety as j>ossible of the other classes of fruits, 

 leaving the apples to form an after volume, which will contain, in addition thereto, 

 the descriptions of other classes of fruits not comprised in the two first volumes, as 

 well as some additional varieties of the classes previously noticed. The great 

 number of specimen trees at present under culture in the experimental grounds 

 of the establishment whence this work emanates, is calculated to afibrd the 

 most important facilities for future investigations, and for the correction of errors 

 still existing in the nomenclature of fruits. The collection of apples has been 

 made an object of great interest, it being a fruit whose culture is of the highest 

 importance to our country ; and the care and circumspection that have been ex- 

 ercised, in order to concentrate the choicest varieties, can scarcely fail to termi- 

 nate in the happiest results. 



One great object of the labors of the author, and of his father and brother, 

 whose aid is combined with his own, has been to furnish the public with precise 

 descriptions of the different varieties of fruits cultivated in their nurseries, and 

 they trust they shall succeed in that object. Wherever, in describing a fruit, a 

 reference is made to their catalogue, the identity is either known or believed to 

 exist, and each year will afford additional opportunities for a satisfactory con- 

 firmation of all doubtful points. It is possible, howe.vcr, that an occasional 

 error may arise from misplaced reliance in a correspondent, who may err in his 

 communications; or in the identity ofarticles obtained from him — but they trust 

 that their unceasing zeal will eventually eradicate any discrepancies on this head. 



It needs only to be added, that in the whole progress of this work, the utmost 

 candor has been, and will continue to be exercised, and all important facts within 

 the knowledge of the author, and of those associated with him, will be fully com- 

 municated. This work, when completed, will comprise all that is useful or im- 

 portant in the more ancient publications, and also all descriptions of choice fruits 

 contained in the New Duhamel, the Transactions of the London Horticultural 

 Society, the Transactions of the Horticultural Society of Paris, the Pomological 

 Magazine, the Pyrus Mains Brentfordiensis, Lindley's Guide to the Orchard 

 and Kitchen Garden, the different publications of Van Mons and other Flemish 

 and German pomologists, and of the other modern writers of authority, and will 

 further combine, as an object of the highest importance, the descriptions of all 

 the choicest varieties of fruits which have originated in our own country. 



In " Lindley's Guide," above referred to, an introductory article is given on 

 the subject of "Amelioration and Propagation," the purport of which accords 

 so generally with the views of the author of the present work, that he has quoted 

 it here entire. The greater part of the fruits comprised in Mr. Lindley's 

 publication, having been described in the course of the present work, before his 

 had reached this country, there consequently remains a portion only to be in- 

 cluded in an afler volume, which has been already prepared for publication. 



