28 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1885. 



editor of the ' Fruits, and Fruit Trees of America,' all the editions of 

 which have been dedicated to my name from the first. These cir- 

 cumstances have drawn us more and more closely together by the ties 

 of affection and friendly regard. As a pomologist, he was world- 

 renowned for his knowledge, accuracy, and good judgment, and as 

 such had a longer experience than any other man of whom I have 

 any record in this or any other country. His books will ever be 

 precious memorials of good fruits and good men ; of a life whose 

 great object was to make others happy in the enjoyment of the 

 beauties and bounties of creation, and which has been a blessing to 

 our world. 



For more than a generation, he edited the 'Fruits and Fruit-Trees 

 of America,' first written by his brother forty years ago. With the 

 progress and expansion of pomology, this work grew under his hand 

 to such an extent that he might well have claimed to be the author ; 

 yet, with characteristic modesty, he preferred to lay his laurels upon 

 his brother's grave. This encyclopa3dic work, in its many successive 

 editions, is now the authority in regard to the multitude of fruits 

 described in it." 



Mr. Downing esteemed it an honor to be affiliated with our 

 Society. He took a lively interest in all our proceedings, and 

 was prompt to note any mention of new fruits, or unfamiliar 

 varieties ; invariably writing to solicit information concerning 

 them, or to obtain grafts if they could be had true to name. In 

 that particular, he was very exacting; doubtless realizing that at 

 his extreme age, he had no time to waste in cultivating the false 

 or fraudulent. It will be no violation of confidence, in this 

 connection, to insert one or two of his letters, manifesting as 

 they will the interest that he took in our local concerns : 



''Newhurg, N. Y., Feb. 28, '83. 

 Edward W. Lincoln, Esq. : 

 Dear Sir. — 



Since the sad accident and sickness my memory has failed me con- 

 siderably, and I have forgotten whether I acknowledged the receipt of 

 the Transactions of the Worcester County Horticultural Society for 

 1882 ; and if not, please accept my cordial thanks for your kindness. I 

 have derived much pleasure and information in the reading of it, and 

 trust the members and others will find it profitable reading and test 

 its value by practice. 



I notice, on page 32, the Dawson Apple, which is new to me ; and if 

 grafts are to be had, I will thank you to send me 2 or 3 stout, 

 strong, cuttings by mail, for trial here. But if you have none, and 

 know who has, please give me his address. I have the Transactions 



