.QLASSIPICATION. 55 



and with the systejn, such as it is, here set forth. A knowledge 

 of the botany of fruits is a prime essential and should he re- 

 viewed both in this text and in laboratory work. Fruits and 

 herbarium specimens will be furnished in abundance for indoor 

 exercises and ample opportunity will be given to study the 

 plants in the field. Make the most of classifying the varieties 

 presented to you for that purpose. Suggest ways in which 

 systems in use can be simplified, made more natural, more con- 

 venient and more scientific. There is room for many such sug- 

 gestions. Under the direction of the instructor in charge you 

 will be expected to devote considerable time to the work in 

 classification and you should come to look upon it as the chief 

 branch of systematic pomology. 



A CLASSIFICATION OF OUK COMMONLY CULTI- 

 VATED FKUITS. 



The commonly cultivated fruits of the North Temperate 

 Zone fall into four great botanical families ; namely, Kosacese, 

 VitaeesE, Saxifragacese and Ericaceae. 



ORDER ROSACEyE. 



Trees, shrubs, or herbs with alternate stipulate leaves and 

 regular flowers, with usually ind-efinite unconnected stamens 

 inserted on the calyx, few, or many simple separate pistils 

 (except in the division to which the pear belongs), and few, or 

 numerous seeds. Calyx usually of five sepals, but sometimes 

 reinforced by a row of sepal-like bracts beneath. Petals as 

 many as the sepals. 



This Order furnishes the most important fruits of temperate 

 climates. It offers examples of several widely different types 



