278 SELECT VARIETIES OF FRUITS. 



twenty sorts of apples or pears may be as many as one 

 person may require ; but it does not follow that these vari- 

 eties only are to be cultivated, for it is very probable that- 

 another individual, residing even in the same State, would 

 make a selection entirely different. New York, Massa- 

 chusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and 

 other States, have all varieties of their own; and by the 

 time each has made a selection, our one hundred and fifty 

 varieties will be appropriated, and a deficiency still exist 

 in all probability. We are not of those who cry out 

 against new varieties. On the contrary, we look upon 

 every one of real excellence as an additional blessing to 

 the fruit growers and to society, for which they should be 

 duly thankful. The only thing to be observed in regard 

 to them is, that before entering into general cultivation 

 they should be fairly and carefully tested under various 

 circumstances. Some well meaning persons make a great 

 cry out against nurserymen and others, whose business it 

 is to experiment, for extending their lists, or noticing new 

 varieties. If such a spirit had prevailed, how would oui 

 fruits have been to-day ? 



T 4 " is by no means presumed that the following lists are 

 perfect, even as far as they go. No individual possesses 

 such a thorough knowledge of the various soils and cli- 

 mates of our country, or of the varieties of fruits best 

 adapted to them, as to enable him to recommend with in- 

 fallible correctness special lists for all localities. 



In attempting this, reliance must be placed upon the 

 experience and reports of others, and these are always 

 liable to be biased by tastes or prejudices. These things 

 have been kept in view, and wherever recommendations 

 are made beyond our own knowledge and experience, 

 they are based upon the most reliable authority, and it is 

 hoped will not be found wholly unserviceable to those 

 especially who ha 7 e neither had experience nor access to 



