iv PREFACE. 



3. By columns and abbreviations, the meaning- of which is 

 explained under every different kind of fruit, a large number of 

 the most important characters, by which the varieties are distin- 

 guished, has been compressed into a very small compass. Thus 

 in Apples the following line, 



846 Oslin | p. y. | roundish | 2 | T | 1 | Aug. Sept. 



signifies that the Oslin is a pale yellow apple of a roundish figure, 

 of a middling size, used for the dessert, of the first quality, and 

 ripening in August and September. To these abbreviations a 

 few useful remarks have often been added in a separate column. 



By these means it is hoped that a very considerable body of 

 practically important information will have been combined in 

 this edition of the Catalogue. 



It will be remarked that the abbreviations, &c. have not been 

 made use of in regard to every sort that is enumerated, and 

 indeed that they are scarcely applied to one half. In these cases 

 no certain information has been yet collected at the Garden 

 relating to those varieties the columns of which are blank ; 

 owing either to the trees not having fruited, or to inaccuracies 

 having been discovered in the names of the plants received at 

 the Garden. These inaccuracies have taken place to an extent 

 of which no one who has not personally inspected the progress 

 of investigation can form an idea, and have caused more em- 

 barrassment than all other causes whatsoever taken together. 

 It would in many cases have been easy to have filled up such 

 blanks from books or such MSS. of the Society as have been 

 collected independently of the Garden ; but it has been thought 

 better, in order to avoid all misconception, that the characters 

 now given should have been exclusively collected from observa- 

 tion on the very trees from which cuttings, &c. are taken fix 

 distribution. These blanks are perhaps of the less importance, 

 as they in general accompany varieties the merit of which is 

 not often likely to be very great. 



In the former edition a number of fruits, both of hardy and 

 of tender kinds, were comprehended, which are here omitted ; 

 such for instance as Bilberries, Hawthorns, Brambles, Oranges, 

 Guavas, and the like. They have now been left out for several 



