m MEMORIAL. 



Charles Downing died at his home, in Newburgh, Nev\' York, 

 January 18th, 1885, in the eighty-second year of his age. The 

 following sketch of his Ufe and character and achievements is taken, 

 in an abbreviated form, from the address of President Barry at the 

 last annual meeting of the Western New York Horticultural Societ}' : 



"In earl}' life, and until about thirty years ago, Mr. Downing 

 was actively engaged in the nursery business, in which he was dis- 

 tinguished as well for his skill and success as a practical cultivator, 

 as for his accuracy and trustworthiness in all matters pertaining to 

 the varieties of fruits or of ornamental trees and plants, cultivated 

 and sold by him. When anything was purchased from Charles 

 Downing, that alone was regarded as a pi'oof of its genuineness. 

 A more careful, conscientious man has never been known in that 

 business. 



" Shortly after the death of his gifted and greatly lamented 

 brother, Andrew J. Downing, author of "The Fruits and Fruit 

 Trees of America," and of several woiks on landscape gardening and 

 rural architecture, Charles retired from the nursery business, and from 

 that time until his death devoted himself to the study of pomology, 

 and to the revision from time to time of his brother's great work, 

 "The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America." This book is regarded 

 as the standard authority on American fruits throughout the world, 

 and Charles Downing came to be acknowledged one of the foremost 

 pomologists of his day. He was a remarkably modest and retiring 

 man by nature, and, although a regular attendant at both pomologi- 

 cal and horticultural meetings, was seldom heard to speak, except 

 when called upon for his opinion, which he would give with absolute 

 frankness and honesty, but in the fewest possible words. He was 

 not in haste to form an opinion, but when once formed he adhered 

 to it steadfastly. 



"The name of Charles Downing is as familiar as a household 

 word in every American home where an intelligent interest is taken 

 in rural affairs. * * * Who will take his place? is a 

 question that will be asked. Who will keep up the standard charac- 

 ter of "The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America" by constant re- 

 vision, as he did? It is a national work, and I trust that lor the 



