INTR OB UCTION, 
It is with pleasure that we present our patrons with a new edition of our Descriptive 
Catalogue. Under their respective heads will he found descriptions of several new vari- 
eties 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 before 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 
investigation, 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 improvement, and that the true course is "onward and upward," we aim to ex- 
amine 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 e.xcels 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 
satisfaction, 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 cultiva- 
tion 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 us in going to the great 
expense consequent to the getting up a stock of the same and properly bringing its merits 
liefore the public? The investment will run into hundreds, perhaps thousands of dol- 
lars, and it will be from two to five years before we can expect substantial returns. 
Kecd we say more ? Need we add that on this question of new fruits, we cannot 
aftbrd, from a financial point of view, to touch a thing that wc 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 com- 
parison 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 
