52 Uniform Nomenclature of Fruits. 



" Embarrassing" it undoubtedly is, but not the less therefore 

 to be grappled with, and if possible mastered. Downing 

 has duly appreciated the importance of a correct nomencla- 

 ture. "It is at once apparent," says he, "that one of the 

 chief points of value of a book like this, lies in the accuracy 

 with which these synonymous names* are given — " (preface, 

 page viii.) His efforts to arrive at it are far from having 

 been successful. 



We may well deplore the confusion arising from the almost 

 endless diversity of names by Avhich the same fruit is often 

 known and cultivated; and the scarcely to be less deprecated 

 uncertainty, growing out of the fact, that many different 

 sorts, sometimes assimilating to, at others greatly varying 

 from the true kind, are propagated under the name of an 

 approved and established variety. The evil is one which all 

 feel, and for which all desire to find a remedy. Its origin, in 

 most cases, must doubtless be attributed to accident or care- 

 lessness in those who are instrumental in bringing forward 

 old kinds under new names, or spurious kinds under old 

 names ; but it must also be admitted, that frauds have been 

 not unfrequently perpetrated in this way, by unprincipled 

 nurserymen, with the design to increase their profits. The 

 evil is, moreover, oftentimes increased in the attempt to 

 remedy it, and the efibrts of those best qualified to decide 

 marred, by the injudicious interference of persons new to the 

 pursuit, who, before they have attained a sufficient acquaint- 

 ance with varieties, instead of waiting till they can pass a 

 reliable judgment, founded upon actual inspection of fruits, 

 jump at their conclusions, adopt, and the press being open to 

 them, promulgate opinions, which at last only rest upon their 

 own mere surmises, as to the identity of kinds. And, in 

 addition to all this, and having a further tendency to increase 

 the evil, when a synonyme is really detected, many are but 

 too prone, instead of letting the old name take place, to adopt 

 the new and give the old as the synonyme. 



But what, it is objected, does it avail to trace the evil or its 

 origin 1 These are not disputed. Let us rather hear the 

 remedy you would propose. The mischief has existed, and 



* I confess a little malice in this underscoring; but it is only intended to repay his 

 sneer upon Kenrick's " rejected outcasts." (Page 330.) 



