VUl PREFACE 



The references given are those that have been used in ascertaining the 

 histor}^ and the economic status or in verifying the description of the 

 variety that follows. All of the synonyms created by pomologists to whose 

 works we have had access have been noted but in no case have we pub- 

 lislied synonyms quoted by other writers. The work of reading references 

 and seeking out synonyms is a tremendous one, involving nearly three 

 years' work for several persons. We hope that this work sets straight in 

 high degree the great confusion in the names of peaches, but that we, no 

 matter how painstaking, could bring perfection out of chaos, no one could 

 expect. 



Again we call attention to the biographical sketches found in the 

 foot-notes. Some men in everv' profession surpass their fellows in true 

 greatness. Such men there are in pomology, and a knowledge of their 

 career is indispensable to a full comprehension of the industr\' of growing 

 fruit. In the conquest of America we have honored, so far, only the men 

 who have expressed their energy- in conquering the mines, the forests, the 

 fisheries and to a small degree those who have developed the soils; we have 

 shamefully neglected the great men who have developed our native fruits 

 and vegetables and adapted to the conditions of the New World the agri- 

 cultural products of the Old World. The brief biographical sketches in 

 these fruit-books are written in an effort to give in some measure the credit 

 and honor due to those who have improved fruits. 



In the preparation of The Peaches of New York, besides those whose 

 names appear on the title page, I am indebted to R. D. Anthony, for 

 reading proof; to the Station editor, F. H. Hall, for his assistance; to the 

 Zeese- Wilkinson Company, New York City, for the beautiful color-plates 

 of peaches; and to the J. B. Lyon Company, Albany, New York, for good 

 workmanship in printing the V)Ook. 



U. P. HEDRICK, 



Horticulturist, New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 



