FRSFACE. Vn 



the nature of the investigations, so much material has to 

 be drawn from extrinsic sources. Upon the present occa- 

 sion, instead of an extended parade of references to the 

 productions of other writers, which might be looked upon 

 as rather pedantic, it is preferred to make a general 

 acknowledgment of the important assistance derived from 

 many pomological authors of our own country and of 

 Europe. Quotations are credited on the pages where they 

 occur. 



But the writer is also under great obligations to a host 

 of co-laborers for the assistance they have kindly rendered 

 him in the collecting, and in the examination and identifi- 

 cation of fruits. . Such friends he has happily found wher- 

 ever he has turned in the pursuit of these investigations, 

 and there are others whom it has never been his good for- 

 tune to meet face to face. To name them all would be 

 impossible. The contemplatioA of their favors sadly re- 

 calls memories of the departed, but it also revives pleasant 

 associations of the bright spirits that are still usefully en- 

 gaged in the numerous pomological and horticultural asso- 

 ciations of our country, which have become important 

 agencies in the diffusion of valuable information in this 

 branch of study. 



To all of his kind friends the author returns his sincere 

 thanks. 



With a feeling of hesitation in coming before the pub- 

 lic, but satisfied that he has made a contribution to the 

 fund of human knowledge, this volume is presented to the 

 Horticulturists of our country, for whom it was prepared 

 by their friend and fellow-laborer, 



Aston, January 1, 1867. JNO. A. WAKDER. 



