Y! PKEFACE. 



by a previous writer, it has been selected as the title of 

 the fruit in this work. 



To avoid incumbering the pages, authorities for the 

 nomenclature have not been cited, except in a few in- 

 stances, nor have numerous synonyms been introduced. 

 Such only as are in common use have been given, and 

 those of foreign origin have been dropped. 



The attention of the reader is particularly directed to 

 the catalogue of fruits near the close of the volume, which 

 also answers as the index to those which are described in 

 detail. This portion of the work has cost an immense 

 amount of labor and time, and, though making little dis- 

 play, will, it is hoped, prove very useful to the orchardist. 

 In it the names of fruits are presented in their alphabeti- 

 cal order, followed by information as to the average size, 

 the origin of the variety, its classification, from which are 

 deduced its shape, flavor and modes of coloring ; next is 

 noted its season, and then its quality. This last character 

 is, of course, but the result of private judgment, and the 

 estimate may differ widely from that of others ; the qual- 

 ity, too, it should be remembered, is here intended to be 

 the result of a consideration of many properties besides 

 that of mere flavor. 



This catalogue will furnish a great deal of information 

 respecting the fruits it embraces. Unfortunately, it is not 

 so full nor so complete as it should be, but it is offered as 

 the result of many years' observations, and is submitted 

 for what it is worth. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. -It is but an act of common jus- 

 tice for an author to acknowledge his indebtedness to those 

 who have aided him in his labors, especially where, from 



