INTRODUCTION. 
It is with pleasure that we present our patrons with a new edition of our Descriptive 
Catalogue. Under their respective heads will be found descriptions of several new varie- 
ties that have been introduced since our last edition. In this connection it may be proper 
to state what inducements a new comer in the fruit line must offer hefore we place it on sale. 
Every year we have many new varieties of fruits brought to our attention, believed by 
their owners to be something superior. The great majority of these, we find upon investi- 
gation, to be of no particular value, or at least no improvement on the varieties we already 
have. Realizing, however, that with many of our fruits there is ample room for improve- 
ment, and that the true course is "onward and upward," we aim to examine as carefully 
as practicable any fruit that is brought to our attention. 
We first consider the fruit as to its quality, appearance, season of ripening, &c., to 
see if it equals or excels the varieties we already have ripening at the same time. If the 
field it would have to occupy is fully filled with sorts, in every respect giving perfect satis- 
faction, we are apt to follow the old adage "let well enough alone." On the other hand, 
if the fruit has some striking characteristic that forces itself on our attention, and appears 
to have real and distinctive merit, and apparently is a decided acquisition, we at once try 
to inform ourselves as to the habit of the tree or vine. It must be a vigorous grower, 
hardy, healthy, belong to a healthy and long-lived race, and must be an early and an 
abundant bearer. Many a fruit of fine quality is worthless for general cultivation owing 
to the weak constitution of the tree or vine. 
, The general planter, the great mass who are putting out fruits for profit, require sorts 
with iron constitutions; those kinds that will thrive in a great variety of soils and situ- 
ations, and yield some fruit under neglect. 
When we do meet a new variety that appears in all respects to fill the bill, to be a 
fruit of real merit, one more important consideration presents itself. Though apparently 
a good thing, has it sufficient elements of popularity to warrant ns in going to the great 
expense consequent to getting up a stock of the same and properly bringing its merits before 
the public? The investment will run into hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars, and 
it will he from two to five years before we can expect substantial returns. 
Need we say more? Need we add that on this question of new fruits, we cannot afford, 
from a financial point of view, to touch a thing that we are not fully satisfied has merit? 
In conclusion on this point we will repeat that planters of fruit for profit cannot afford to 
put out any but the most valuable sorts. The first outlay is but a trifle in comparison to 
the final results. In nothing can a man be more " penny wise and pound foolish " than 
in planting cheap trees regardless of the varieties. 
It takes no more time, ground or care to set out a good variety than it does a common 
kind, and if one is any better than another, the better kind is the one to plant, for the 
only extra expense is the difference in the first cost. Of course, there are many old sorts 
that ought to be in every collection, but at the same time there are some new varieties 
that ought never to be left out. 
We sell stock over a very large extent of territory, and fully realize that some kinds 
that are eminently popular in one section are worthless in others. To illustrate: The 
