VI PREFACE. 



bly true, Most of the figures, however, will he found correct in outline and 

 form. I am, however, dissatisfied with many, especially those which were 

 printed at an early day ; circumstances beyond my control have obliged 

 me to give to the public some plates which are unworthy of a place in the 

 volume. The fact is, both paper and printing are of that character that it 

 was impossible to color the plates, handsomely: I inspected and corrected 

 the proofs furnished me, and those were well executed ; but it appears that 

 the drawing upon the stone soon wore out, and hence bad impressions were 

 often made, and which could not be converted afterwards, by colors, into 

 handsome figures. I have also admitted varieties of apples which rank 

 only as second rate : they are however good market apples. But there are 

 other considerations than those of rank and value, which influenced me in 

 publishing so many figures and plates. There is a philosophical interest in 

 those products of organized matter, which multiply and run into varieties. 

 What are the efficient and final causes by which, and for which these pro- 

 ductions seem to increase in kinds so astonishingly? What cause is opera- 

 tive in the production of varieties ? Is it original endowment, independent 

 of climate ; or is climate a cause which operates upon a susceptible consti- 

 tution ? I had in view, at one time, the exhibition of many varieties, with 

 the view of contributing something for the illustration of these questions. 

 I found, however, the questions beset with too many difficulties to be over- 

 come, even in part, while engaged with the analyses of soils and vegetable 

 products. 



In conclusion, I feel bound to express a regret that this volume could not 

 have been issued at an earlier day. The subject of which it mainly treats 

 has gone far ahead in the last five years; and what in this volume might 

 have been regarded as new, and which might, too, have aided the progress 

 of pomology, will appear as less valuable, and of less importance. I may, 

 however, commend to the attention of farmers the general principles of 

 Agriculture which are expressed in the last part of the volume, together 

 with the investigation of the milk of the cow. I can not but hope these 

 facts will prove generally acceptable. 



EBENEZER EMMONS. 



Albany, December 5, 1S51. 



