149 



books," and notwithstanding the well earned repu- 

 tation of the Author of this, we did not take it up 

 with that pleasure, which on a thorough examina- 

 tion it really afforded us ; for even the surliest literary 

 cur, after a keen search for something to snap at, 

 would find very little in it to disturb the kindliest 

 feeling for both the book and its author. There are, 

 to be sure, a few slight errors, such as Pitmaston's 

 Nectarine for Pitmaston Nectarine, and other such 

 trifles ; but the only wonder is, that one so affected 

 in his sight as Mr. Thomas is, and who could only 

 correct the proof by having it read to him, should 

 be able to produce a specimen of typographical ex- 

 ecution so nearly perfect. 



To say that Mr. Thomas' book is entirely original 

 is alone high praise when so many works are either 

 other men's brains palmed off as the "author's own" 

 or at best do not rise above the dignity of compila- 

 tion; but for all an origin J worx uiay be infedo to 

 a well adapted hash from other books. Not of this 

 class is this before us, but a treatise on American 

 fruits, founded on American practice, by the master 

 hand who knows of what he writes, and how to tell 

 of what he knows. 



It is divided into two parts, the theory and prac- 

 tice of fruit culture, and the varieties of fruits. In 

 the first part nothing that w.,uld aid the cultivator 

 is overlooked, profits are fairly discussed, the struc- 

 ture and mode of growth of plants, producing new 

 varieties, soils, manure, &c. , for preparing orchards, 

 cultivating and renovating, pruning, tools, thinning, 

 gathering, preserving, nursery treatment, packing, 

 &c., are amongst the hundreds of topics enlarged 

 on in a general way. 



When he comes to varieties of fruit, he besides 

 enters particularly into the treatment of each kind 

 of fruit, and in the classification of varieties endeavors 

 to produce some order out of that chaos of fruits 

 which we have so frequently deplored, and urged the 

 attention of Pomological authors to. To some ex- 

 tent he has succeeded, but his charactersare too arti- 

 ficial, and will, no doubt, be replaced by some other 

 system in time. Under his arrangement varieties 

 of fruits are brought together that bear no relation 

 to one another. Such Apples as Porter, Maiden's 

 Blush, Siberian Crab, Hawleyand Fall Orange, get 

 together in one of his classes, — varieties which are 

 not at all suggestive of a homogeneous type. Porter 

 and Lowell together in this class comes nearer to the 

 idea we would have expressed. Mr. Thomas divides 

 his classes of apples into round or s veet, or striped, 

 but what we hope to see i^ a classification which 

 shall rest in the average resemblances of a whole 

 set. We will close our notice by observing that if 



Mr. Thomas' book is to be a type ot the new hor- 

 ticultural works to be issued from the press, we 

 welcome them in advance. The more of them the 

 greater the credit to the country, and the benefit of 

 the horticultural cause. 



Memoir of Marshall P. Wilder. By John H. 

 Sheppard, A. M. Published by the New Eng- 

 land Historical and Genealogical Society. 

 This is a pamphlet of 50 pages, illustrated with a 

 beautiful engraving of Mr. Wilder, which his friends 

 will recognize as an excellent likeness. Mr. Wilder 

 has spent a long life in furthering the interest of 

 horticulture, and it must be a great satisfaction to 

 him in his declining years to find his efforts so gen- 

 erally acknowledged and highly appreciated. He 

 is by this time in Europe, but will return in time to 

 preside at the Pomological Society at St. Louis. 



Transactions of the New York State Agri- 

 cultural Society, for the year 1865. — From 

 B. P. Johnson, Secretar}'. 

 This is a very interesting volume, especially to 

 those interested in the cultivation of the grape in 

 in New York State. It is also illustrated with col- 

 ored plates of the principal ornamental hardy trees 

 and shrubs. 



Record of Horticulture for 1866. Edited by 

 A. S. Fuller. Published by Geo. E. & F. W. 

 Woodward, at the Office of the Horticulturist. 

 We are glad to see the demand which exists for 

 these annuals. There is an immense amount of 

 interesting facts floating about over transient liter- 

 ature, which ought not to be forgotten, and which 

 it is the privilege of these annuals to record and 

 save for us. This one gives the books on Horticul- 

 ture of the past year, the new fruits, trees, shrubs 

 and herbaceous plants, besides much other matter 

 that will interest Horticulturists. 



Dr. Mohrs' Book on the Grape.— So many in- 

 quiries have been made in reference to an English 

 translation of this German work, that our readers 

 will be pleased to know Judd & Co., are going to 

 publish an English edition. 



Dr. Warder's book on apples is about to be 

 issued from the press. 



