vi PREFACE TO TWENTIETH EDITION. 



prevented him from continuing his connection with that paper. 

 On February 22d, 1895, he died. Mr. E. W. Lincoln, secretary 

 of the Worcester County (Mass.) Horticultural Society, wrote 

 of him : He " was ever the peer of Barry and the Downings, 

 and survived them to take his proper place, unchallenged, at 

 the very head of the pomologists of America." 



The changes which have been made in this edition of 

 Thomas' work are such only as seemed to confine its matter 

 strictly to the propagation and cultivation of fruits in the open 

 air, and to bring it in all respects fully up with our present 

 knowledge. The few sections which treated of raising or 

 ripening under glass, of preserving fruit, and the lists of such 

 as could be grown only in houses, have been omitted. The 

 selected list of fruits recommended for different parts of the 

 United States has also been omitted, because now the agri- 

 cultural experiment stations of each State afford a more re- 

 liable guide. The " Monthly Calendar of Work" has been 

 dropped, on account of its unsuitableness for every locality. 



The cultivation of fruit in California and the Pacific States 

 is not especially treated of, there being already a voluminous 

 work upon this subject. 



On the other hand, numerous chapters have been added 

 upon subjects which have become of practical value and of 

 almost vital importance to the would-be successful fruit- 

 grower. 



' The chapter on " Insects and Diseases" has been greatly ex- 

 tended, the investigations of the past ten years having added 

 much to our knowledge upon these important topics. 



The second section of the book, treating of the varieties of 

 the " Different Kinds of Fruits," has been very thoroughly re- 

 vised, and it is believed will be found to embrace practically 

 complete descriptions of all the acknowledged standard and 

 approved newer sorts; while the " Descriptive Index," as here- 

 tofore, includes also very many kinds now nearly or quite 

 superseded, and others which have been so recently intro- 

 duced that their real value is not yet established. 



An entirely new chapter has been added on " Nuts." 



The new chapter on " Wild Fruits" closes this section. 



The third section has been expressly prepared for this work 

 by Mr. E. H. Hart, of Florida, upon the recommendation of Mr. 



