INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL DIGEST. 



59 



will at once occur to the reader, but it may be well to mention it, 

 that this report may be precise and practical. 



It will obviously be desirable in a year or two's time to 

 repeat the performance on the same plan, or nearly so, at an 

 earlier time of the year, with a view to bring into notice the best 

 of the first and second supplies from the open ground and from 

 the various sheltering agencies that are employed in the cultiva- 

 tion of early vegetables, salads, and roots. And indeed there 

 may, even then, remain a necessity for the systematic study of 

 the products of the forcing-house conjointly with the latest winter 

 supplies of the produce of the previous year. It will thus be seen 

 that the Vegetable Conference of September last has no finality, 

 but should rather be regarded as the first of a series ) and in any 

 case another should follow, to include the produce of the late 

 spring and early summer. 



The classification adopted was considered necessary to com- 

 bine scientific distinctions with the obvious relationships of the 

 several subjects. There must always be looked for in such a 

 business a conflict between technical propriety and the con- 

 venience of the parties who are more directly interested. The 

 botanist, the gardener, and the cook, perhaps also the merchant, 

 have their several views ; and the problem is how best to har- 

 monise these views with the general usefulness of the entire 

 work. If that cannot be done, then it becomes desirable to avoid 

 the confusion of a diversity of requirements and ensure arrange- 

 ments the least encumbered with contradictions and paradoxes. 

 It is believed that a safe course has been taken, both as a prece- 

 dent for further proceedings, and to guide in some measure in the 

 preparation of schedules for provincial exhibitions. 



Two important tasks were set before the Committees that 

 were charged with the categorical criticism of the exhibition. 

 They were in all cases to review the names as well as make 

 selections of the best of the several species and varieties. It 

 need not follow that the names adopted are either scientific or 

 absolutely original. In such matters usage is of primary im- 

 portance. The Committees had to consider public convenience 

 as well as garden and table qualities, and the names finally 

 adopted were, generally speaking, such as may be described es 

 " familiar in men's mouths as household words." To take but 

 one example, the Musselburgh leek has distinct character and 



