42 Pomological J^otices; or^ JK^otlces of 



The Caledonian Horticultural Society of Scotland, with Mr. 

 Barnet at the head of the fruit department, have been for some 

 time collecting information on fruits, and proving the varieties; 

 but, beyond these examples, we do not know of any other so- 

 cieties or any individuals who have accomplished as much as 

 Mr. Manning; and when we take into consideration the means 

 which the societies we have just named have at their com- 

 mand, his labors will appear still more important. 



We do not make these remarks with any view to over- 

 rate Mr. Manning's labors: he would not thank us for that. 

 They are already so well known, and his good judgment has 

 been so often appealed to, by many of our most excellent cul- 

 tivators, that there is no necessity of making this statement, in 

 order to give additional weight to his descriptions. They will 

 be received as the result of long experience and indefatigable 

 research, and will be valued as highly among our cultivators, 

 as the observations of Mr. Thompson have been by the po- 

 mologists of Great Britain. 



The slow progress which has been made in proving and 

 identifying fruits, has often been a matter of surprise with 

 many, and we are glad that Mr. Manning, at the close of his 

 remarks, has so happily stated the reasons which have pre- 

 vented the more rapid accomplishment of this object. It is 

 not the work of a moment — a tree does not perfect its growth, 

 and produce its fruit, in a single season: — patience, and per- 

 severance must be exercised, before the cultivator realizes 

 his early expectations; and how often does it happen, when 

 he has looked anxiously forward to the period which was to 

 settle all doubts, that he has been disappointed — bitterly dis- 

 appointed, to find that the care, the patience, and the anxiety, 

 with which he had watched a favorite tree, have been wasted, 

 and he is no nearer the attainment of his wishes than he was 

 years before. Let those who think that investigation on this 

 subject has proceeded too tardily, attempt the object them- 

 selves; a few years, spent in patiently awaiting the produc- 

 tion of the fruit, will convince them that their labors will add 

 but little towards its speedy accomplishment. 



We have somewhat extended these remarks; but if they 

 have contained nothing of interest, our readers will find the 

 time spent in their perusal fully made up in the additional in- 

 terest of Mr. Manning's communication. — Ed. 



