STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 91 



sake of the memory of the brothers Downing, as well as for the 

 honor and interest of American pomology, it will pass into careful, 

 able and loving bands, who will perpetrate it through future genera- 

 tions." 



These are the words of one well qualified by long acquaintance 

 and intimate association, as well as by similarity of occupation and 

 tastes, to form a just estimate of the character and labors of Mr. 

 Downing. In a letter to the writer of this notice, in 1882, Mr. 

 Downing said : 



"1 much prefer the practical part of horticulture, and would 

 rather work a week in the open air than to write a day ; in fact. I 

 have not the taste nor the ability to perform the work as it should 

 be, and the revisions of my i)rother's Fruit Book were prepared at 

 the earnest solicitation of his and my friends and much against my 

 will, knowing that I was not able to do it justice. I intended and 

 expected to make a new revision, * * * i^nt it is too 

 late now, as ray health and strength are not sufficient for tiie labor." 



Man}' extracts might be made from his letters, several of them 

 written after his partial recovery from the painful accident which 

 came so near terminating his life, all illustrating the modesty and 

 self-abnegation which were prominent traits in his character, and his 

 devotion to his chosen labor. 



He always manifested a deep interest in the work of this Societ}', 

 and was a careful and discriminating reader of its transactions. 

 On several occasions he expressed a strong desire to attend our 

 meetings, and was only prevented from doing so by the intirmity of 

 his health. He was often appealed to by our members for the settle- 

 ment of vexed questions in pomology ; and he always investigated 

 patiently and answered courteously, and frequent!}' would write to 

 them to make suggestions or ask for information on some point 

 which had attracted his attention in our proceedings. For these 

 reasons, as well as for his pre-eminence among pomologists, though 

 not a member of our Society, it is fitting that we should place his 

 name at the head of our memorial notices at this time. No society 

 could call him its own to the exclusion of others. He belongs to 

 ever}- organization and every individual interested in the advance- 

 ment of horticultural knowledge. 



G. B. s. 



