Vlll PREFACE. 



serve a place in future editions. To the kindness of pcraolo- 

 gists in various sections of the country I must trust for the 

 detection of errors in the present volume, and for information of 

 really valuable new varieties.* 



Of the descriptions of fruit, some explanation may be neces- 

 sary. First, is given the standard name in capitals, fol- 

 lowed by the authorities that is, the names of authors who 

 have previously given an account of it by this title. Below 

 this are placed, in smaller type, the various synonymes, or lo- 

 cal names, by which the same fruit is known in various coun- 

 tries or parts of the country. Thus, on page 429, is the fol- 

 lowing : 



FLEMISH BEAUTY. Lind. Thomp. 



Belle de Flandres. I Poire Davy. 

 Bosch Nouvelle. Imperatrice de France. 



Bosch. Fondant Du Bois. 



Bosc Sure. Boschpeer. 



Beurre Spence (erroneously). 



By this is signified, first, that FLEMISH BEAUTY is the 

 standard name of the pear; secondly, that it has been previ- 

 ously described by Lindley and Thompson ; thirdly, that the 

 others synonymes are various local names by which the 

 Flemish Beauty is also known in various places ; and, lastly, that 

 by the latter name Beurre Spence it is incorrectly known 

 in some collections, this name belonging to another distinct 

 pear. 



It is at once apparent that one of the chief points of value of a 

 book like this, lies in the accuracy with which these synonymous 

 names are given since a person might, in looking over different 

 catalogues issued here and abroad, suppose that all ten of the 

 above are different varieties when they are really all different 

 names for a single pear. In this record of synonymes, I have 

 therefore availed myself of the valuable experience of the Lon- 



* It is well to remark that many of the so-called new varieties, especially 

 from the "West, prove to be old and well-known kinds, slightly altered in 

 appearance by new soil and different climate. A new variety must possess 

 very superior qualities to entitle it to regard, now that we have so many 

 fine fruits in our collections. 



