158 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



total length to the lateral breadth of the fruit distinguishes the sub- 

 divisions. 



The three chief groups are thus characterised : 



1. Length from the base of the stalk to the base of the seed- cells greater 

 than from the base of the cells to the base of the eye. 



2. Length, taken in the same way, less in the lower than the upper 

 portions of the fruit. 



3. Length in the two parts equal. 



Three sections are formed in each of these groups, as follows : 



(a) Length from the base of the stalk to the base of the eye 

 greater than the lateral diameter. 



(b) Length less than the lateral diameter. 



(c) Length equal to the lateral diameter. 



These characters can only be determined by taking cross and longi- 

 tudinal sections of the fruits to be examined, and only fully developed 

 specimens must be relied upon to show the formation accurately. 



The great variability of Pears under different conditions of soil and 

 climate, and the difficulty of obtaining fruits in the same stage for com- 

 parison, necessitate much patience and keen observation on the part of 

 the pomologist who undertakes the study of these fruits. 



Peculiarities of the skin surface, the colour, the length, thickness and 

 position of the stalk, the form of the eye, flavour, consistency of the flesh, 

 and the season of maturation are all useful for distinguishing varieties, 

 but they are of little value for general classification. 



The Apple. Pyrus Malus. — More attention has been paid to the 

 systematic classification of this fruit than to any other, partly because it 

 has been so widely cultivated in Europe for so long a period, and partly 

 because the varieties are numerous, and the need for their accurate 

 determination is most frequent. Some of the older writers on fruits pro- 

 pounded very elaborate systems, which possibly served their purpose 

 then, but in these times of much more abundant varieties the old systems 

 have become unworkable and useless. 



When the " Apple and its Varieties " was issued (1852), a simple arrange- 

 ment was adopted, and if it could be made to serve at the present time it 

 would be all that could be desired. The main divisions were three, 

 determined by the season when the varieties were fit for use, namely, 

 summer, autumn, and winter. The secondary groups were founded 

 upon the form of the fruits, i.e. round or globular, flat or oblate, and 

 oblong or conical. The next character taken was the colour, and again 

 three divisions were formed, viz. coloured, striped, and pale or green. It 

 might be possible, by excluding intermediate or doubtful forms, to utilise 

 this system still, but it would be very partial and would necessitate the 

 exclusion of a large number of valuable varieties. 



The most elaborate system of classifying fruits ever published was 

 that devoted to the Apple in the "Fruit Manual" of 1884. Patient and 

 prolonged study had been given to the subject, the whole arrangement 

 was logical, methodical, and well balanced, yet experience has found that 

 some modification is needed to render it efficient. 



