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LXX V. Observations on the Expediency of giving to Horti- 

 culture a Scientific Form, by arranging its Objects under a 

 System. By George Henry Noehden, LL.D. F.L.S. 

 $c. $c. 



Read February 4, 1817. 



It must have been remarked by other Members of this 

 Society, as it has been by myself, that the Horticulturist 

 sometimes appears to disadvantage, by not accurately know- 

 ing the name of a fruit, or similar production, when submit- 

 ted to his inspection : and what is worse, he seems to be des- 

 titute of the means of arriving at that knowledge ; his only 

 resource is hearsay, and a sort of traditionary information. 

 This degrades him, in a manner, from the character of a 

 scientific man, to which his pursuits might otherwise fur- 

 nish him with just claims. It is very striking, when we 

 compare his situation with that of the Botanist, to whom it 

 can rarely happen that a plant is presented, without his 

 being able to ascertain its denomination ; even an object 

 quite new he can at once refer to his system, and mark out 

 for it a place, to which, on scientific grounds, it is entitled. 

 Nor is that apparent ignorance solely to be ascribed to 

 such as have only a superficial acquaintance with Horticul- 

 ture ; it also extends, more or less, to those who have long 

 made that pursuit a subject of their attention, and have 

 added to reflection and theory many years of practical ex- 

 perience. This is indeed a lamentable deficiency ; for it is 

 not only the inconvenience of being uncertain about names 



