4 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETr. 



should be borne in mind that this is but an initial step, and as the 

 American Pomological Society, with twenty-five years' experience 

 and commanding the best talent of the ablest pomologists in 

 America, finds it necessary to revise its catalogue at each biennial 

 session, so it is expected that the catalogue herewith presented 

 will be open to correction at future meetings of this Society. 

 Still, it is believed that it will be found for the present a safe 

 guide, and that parties following its recommendations will not 

 materially err. 



Experiments and Observations 



upon new varieties of fruits, and varieties not previously tested 

 in particular localities, have been instituted to some extent, with- 

 out expense to the Society, with a view to determine their adapta- 

 bility to this Sitate, or to the different sections of it. This has 

 been done chiefly by the exchange of scions between the members 

 and with similar societies in other States, through the facilities 

 afforded by the mails. If the Society should see fit in the future 

 to prosecute this important branch upon a more extensive scale 

 and in a more systematic manner, the results cannot be otherwise 

 than valuable. 



The Correspondence of the Society 



with societies of a similar character in other States and countries 

 and with individuals, in relation to matters of general pomological 

 interest is placed by the by-laws, as amended in January, 1874, 

 in the charge of the Corresponding Secretary ; and the Society is 

 fortunate in having as the incumbent of that office, a gentleman of 

 large horticultural experience, thorough culture and sound and 

 discriminating judgment. His first annual report forms an inter- 

 esting and valuable part of this volume. It is the expectation of 

 the Society by this means to obtain an annual resume of whatever 

 is new, interesting or valuable in the horticultural and pomological 

 literature of the country, and to obtain, by the system of ex- 

 changes already instituted, the published reports and transactions 

 of all such societies for ultimate preservation in its 



Library, 



for the formation of which measures have been taken during the 

 past year ; and which is designed to include all standard works 

 and current publications on the subjects above mentioned. Dona- 



