PREFACE. 
The five last years have witnessed a very great change in the system of 
fruit culture, as well as a great advance in the principles which lie at the 
foundation of Agriculture. This is seen in the call for agricultural periodi¬ 
cals and books. It is not now as formerly ; a scientific agricultural work, 
ten years ago, would be excluded from the fireside of the farmer, because 
it employed names and words difficult to he understood, or even to pro¬ 
nounce ; hut now, we hear very little complaint on the score of hard names 
and technical phrases. Such works, too, were frequently regarded as 
theoretical, and as adapted only to a class of men styled book-farmers. It 
is now, however, conceded that hooks may teach the principles of Agricul¬ 
ture, and that the practical farmer may read and study them to great 
advantage. It will be seen that this volume is devoted partly to the 
description and illustration of the fruits of the State, and partly to the 
principles of practical agriculture. In the part devoted to fruits I have at¬ 
tempted to construct a better classification than we possessed. I do not 
know how it will be regarded by the learned in this branch of culture. The 
classification of varieties is always difficult, and when they are numerous, 
as in the apple and pear, it is increased. I may have failed in the applica¬ 
tion of the facts upon which my classification is based, for want of a full 
assortment of varieties ; still, I believe the attempt to improve the classifi¬ 
cation of fruits is in the right direction. 
It is due to myself to state, that many of the plates were engraved before 
fruit culture had received its impulse in New-York ; and indeed a part of 
the work was printed before the best edition of Downing’s work was pub¬ 
lished. Many difficulties and doubts have existed in the minds of some of 
our Pomologists, as it regarded the true name which had been given to 
many varieties. That I have fallen into error, in a few instances, is proba- 
