PREFACE. 



XV 



this Society a heavy debt of gratitude for these labors, and to the 

 science and accuracy of Mr. Robert Thompson, the head of its fruit 

 department, horticulturists here will gladly join me in bearing the fullest 

 testimony. 



To give additional value to these results, I have adopted in nearly 

 all cases, for fruits known abroad, the nomenclature of the London 

 Horticultural Society. By this means I hope to render universal on 

 this side of the Atlantic the same standard names, so that the difficulty 

 and confusion which have always more or less surrounded this part of 

 the subject may be hereafter avoided. 



These foreign fruits have now been nearly all proved in this country, 

 and remarks on their value in this climate, deduced from actual experi- 

 ence, are here given to the public. To our native and local fruits espe- 

 cial care has also been devoted. Not only have most of the noted sorts 

 been proved in the gardens here, but I have had specimens before me 

 for comparison, the growth of no less than fourteen of the different 

 States. There are still many sorts, nominally fine, which remain to be 

 collected, compared, and proved ; some of which will undoubtedly 

 deserve a place in future editions. To the kindness of pomologists in 

 various sections of the country I must trust for the detection of errors in 

 the present volume, and for information of really valuable new varieties.* 



Of the descriptions of fruit, some explanation may be necessary. 

 First, is given the standard name in capitals. Below this are placed, in 

 smaller type, the various synonymes, or local names, by which the same 

 fruit is known in various countries or parts of the country. Thus, on 

 page 761, is the following : 



Flemish Beauty. 



Belle de Flandres. Poire Davy. 

 Bosch Nouvelle. Imperatrice de France. 



Bosch. Fondant du Bois. 



Bosc Sire. Boschpeer. 



Beurre Spence {erroneously). 



By this is signified, first, that Flemish Beauty is the standard name 

 of the pear ; secondly, that the others — synonymes — are various local 

 names by which the Flemish Beauty is also known in various places ; 

 and, lastly, that by the latter name — Beurre Spence — it is incorrectly 

 known in some collections, this name belonging to another distinct pear. 



It is at once apparent that one of the chief points of value of a 

 book like this, lies in the accuracy with which these synonymous names 



* It is well to remark that many of the so-called new varieties, especially from 

 the West, prove to be old and well-known kinds, slightly altered in appearance by 

 new soil and different climate. A new variety must possess very superior qualities 

 to entitle it to regard, now that we have so many fine fruits in our collections. 



