Vlll PREFACE. 



serve a place in future editions. To the kindness of pcraolo- 

 gists in various sections of the country I must trust for the 

 detection of errors in the present volume, and for information of 

 really valuable new varieties.* 



Of the descriptions of fruit, some explanation may be neces- 

 sary. First, is given the standard name in capitals, fol- 

 lowed by the authorities — that is, the names of authors who 

 have previously given an account of it by this title. Below 

 this are placed, in smaller type, the various synonymes^ or lo- 

 cal names, by which the same fruit is known in various coun- 

 tries or parts of the country. Thus, on page 429, is the fol- 

 lowing : 



Flemish Beauty. Lind. Thomp. 



Belle de Flandres. I Poire Davy. 

 Bosch Nouvelle. | Imperatrice de France. 

 Bosch. I Foudant Du Bois. 



Bosc Sire. | Boschpeer. 



Beurre Spence {erroneously). 



By this is signified, first, that Flemish Beauty is the 

 standard name of the pear ; secondly, that it has been previ- 

 ously described by Lindley and Thompson ; thirdly, that the 

 others — synonymes — are various local names by which the 

 Flemish Beauty is also known in various places ; and, lastly, that 

 by the latter name — Beurre Spence — it is incorrectly known 

 in some collections, this name belonging to another distinct 

 pear. 



It is at once apparent that one of the chief points of value of a 

 book like this, lies in the accuracy with which these synonymous 

 names are given — since a person might, in looking over difierent 

 catalogues issued here and abroad, suppose that all ten of the 

 above are diff'erent varieties — when they are really all diflferent 

 names for a single pear. In this record of synonymes, I have 

 therefore availed myself of the valuable experience of the Lon- 



* It is well to remark that many of the so-called new varieties, especially 

 from the West, prove to be old and well-known kinds, slightly altered in 

 appearance by new soil and different climate. A new variety must possess 

 very superior qualities to entitle it to regard, now that we haye so many 

 fine fruits in our collections. 



