38 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY. 



be reasonable and such that everyone can comprehend them and 

 be inclined to accept them. In nearly all sciences names must 

 be in Latin or be Latinized — not so in horticulture. A universal 

 rule is that "For each plant or group there can be only one 

 valid name and that always the most ancient, if it be tenable." 

 Another is ; "No new name should be given to an old plant or 

 group, except for necessity. That a name may be bettered is no 

 reason for changing it." 



Accessory considerations, though of the utmost importance, 

 are ; that names be absolutely grammatically correct ; that regu- 

 larity, euphony and prevailing custom be observed as far as 

 possible ; and that fitting respect be shown for the names given 

 by other persons though not in accordance with acknowledged 

 rules. 



Rules foe E"aming Tetjits. — Rules are indispensable in any 

 serviceable system of nomenclature. In the established sciences 

 there are sets of rules for each and conformity to the recognized 

 code is the manifest duty of a worker in any science. Horti- 

 culture is now recognized as a science but it falls far short of 

 other sciences in the matter of its nomenclature. Because of the 

 lack of a stable nomenclature, it is exceedingly difficult to 

 readily identify varieties in the current fruit literature ; to find 

 out what is known and recorded of them ; or even to discuss them 

 without some confusion. 



The great necessity of rules of nomenclature in pomology is 

 more apparent if one studies our fruit books. Almost every 

 variety long known has several synonyms — some as many as a 

 score. For about 10,000 known varieties of fruits there are 

 not fewer than 25,000 published names. The orthography, 

 punctuation and pronunciation are diverse and names are often 

 meaningless, lengthy and wholly lacking in uniformity. But 



