iv Preface. 



assemblage of all the different varieties, a systematic 

 classification has been adopted for the principal fruits. 

 By placing them under separate and characteristic heads, 

 the cultivator is enabled to distinguish and remember 

 each sort with more readiness than where all are thrown 

 indiscriminately together. The names of those varieties 

 which have been proved of the greatest general value or 

 which have received a large vote in their favor, either in 

 particular regions or throughout the country, are distin- 

 guished by being printed in small capitals. One of the 

 chief points for determining the classification is the time 

 of ripening ; and the principal fruits are separated into 

 summer, autumn, and winter sorts. Although the periods 

 of ripening vary several weeks in different parts of the 

 country, these divisions of time will be sufficiently exact 

 for general purposes. 



The distinguishing characteristics of this work are the 

 following : I. The arrangement of the chapters. 2. The 

 systematic classification of most of the large fruits, and 

 more especially of the apples and pears. 3. The con- 

 densed descriptions of fruits which have been mostly 

 taken from the ripened specimens. 4. The copious illus- 

 trations of the various operations. 



The reader will understand the comprehensive charac- 

 ter of the Descriptive List and Index by referring to the 

 note at its head. 



