XVI PREFACE. 



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 valu- 

 able experience of the London Horticultural Society, and added all the 

 additional information in my own possession. 



Many of the more important varieties of fruit are shown in outline. 

 I have chosen this method as likely to give the most correct idea of the 

 form of a fruit, and because I believe that the mere outline of a fruit, 

 like a profile of the human face, will often be found more characteristic 

 than a highly finished portrait in color. The outlines have been nearly 

 all traced directly from fruits grown here. They are from specimens 

 mostly below the average size. It has been the custom to choose the 

 largest and finest fruits for illustration a practice very likely to mis- 

 lead. I believe the general character is better expressed by specimens 

 of medium size, or rather below it. 



It only remains for me to present my acknowledgments to the nu- 

 merous gentlemen, in various parts of the country, who have kindly fur- 

 nished information necessary to the completion of the work. The names 

 of many are given in the body of the volume. But to the following I 

 must especially tender my thanks, for notes of their experience, or for 

 specimens of fruits to solve existing doubts. 



In Massachusetts, to Messrs. M. P. Wilder, S. G. Perkins, J. P. 

 Gushing, B. Y. French, S. Downer, and C. M. Hovey, of Boston ; John 

 C. Lee, J. M. Ives, the late Robert Manning, and his son, R. Manning, 

 of Salem ; and Otis Johnson, of Lynn. 



In Connecticut, to Dr. E. W. Bull, of Hartford ; Mr. S. Lyman, of 

 Manchester ; and the Rev. H. S. Rainsdell, of Thompson. 



In New York, to Messrs. David Thomas, of Aurora ; J. J. Thomas, 

 of Macedon ; Luther Tucker and Isaac Denniston, of Albany ; Alexan- 

 der Walsh, of Lansingburgh ; T. H. Hyatt, of Rochester ; R. L. Pell, 

 of Pelham ; C. Downing, of Newburgh ; and Wm. H. Aspinwall, of 

 Staten Island. 



In Ohio, to Professor Kirtland, of Cleveland ; Dr. Hildreth, of 

 Marietta ; and Messrs. N. Longworth, C. W. Elliott, and A. H. Ernst, 

 of Cincinnati. 



In Indiana, to the Rev. H. W. Beecher, of Indianapolis. In New 

 Jersey, to Messrs. Thomas Hancock, of Burlington, and J. W. Hayes, 

 of Newark. In Pennsylvania, to Mr. Frederick Brown and Col. Carr, 

 of Philadelphia. In Maryland, to Lloyd N. Rogers, Esq., of Baltimore. 

 In Georgia, to James Camak, Esq., of Athens. 



A. J. D. 



HIGHLAND GARDENS, ) 

 Newburgh, N. Y., May, 1845. \ 



