THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
85 
Testing Station in giving the comparative values of speci¬ 
mens, in its annual bulletin. 
In the matter of form, we may be allowed the query 
whether this may not be indicated directly to the eye, 
even more accurately, by the use of a few typical forms, 
in type, or by combinations thereof; much after the 
manner in which the positions of counties, in the state, 
are now frequently indicated. 
The variations of color, on account of soil, climate and 
even in different specimens upon the same tree, from ex¬ 
posure or other cause, are such that there seems little 
hope that it can ever become more than an incidental 
assistance in identification. 
Of all the characteristics of a variety of fruit, beyond 
question, that of quality is of primary importance.— 
—Fruits are mainly valuable for one or more of the three 
purposes: dessert, cooking and market; and in a greater 
or less degree for each. The popular mode of .expressing 
their relative values, as “good, very good or best;” 
(which is also that of the books), gives but an indefinite 
expression of actual value; while it affords no indication 
of the rise to which each may be specially adapted. 
For the purpose of designating quality more accurately ; 
and at the same time indicating the purpose for which 
each is specially desirable; in the Michigan Horticultural 
Society’s catalogue, (as well in some others,) such a system 
has been in use for many years; expressed in a column 
headed “Use and Value;” which includes three sub¬ 
columns, respectively headed “Dessert,” “Cooking” and 
“ Market; ” and the value of each variety is graded under 
each head, upon the scale of one to ten with space at 
the margin, for explanatory remarks; and a system of 
starring, for the localities represented. Such a catalogued 
list of the fruits of a locality becomes a vade mecum, for 
such locality, for the planter with a definite purpose in 
view ; enabling him to select varieties with reference to 
his special purposes. 
Probably no other branch of the subject presents a 
problem more difficult of solution than does that of de 
termining the season of ripening of a variety, with refe¬ 
rence to the entire region within which it may be success- 
fully grown. If we take the Early Harvest apple as an 
illustration; it may be successfully grown at the extreme 
South and ripened in June, or even in May; while in 
Northern Michigan, in latitude 45 degrees, it may be 
gathered and kept through the winter; coming out in 
spring, in good condition. In Upper Michigan, Northern 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, if grown at all, it becomes a 
veritable winter apple. Under such conditions, unless 
the locality where grown is stated, the date given affords 
little definite knowledsfe of its actual season. To avoid 
this difficulty, it has been proposed to adopt a medial 
line, (perhaps the 40th parallel,) and to give the date of 
ripening upon such line, in all cases ; and by the means 
of a series of comparisons, to determine the rate of varia¬ 
tion, both North and South; the same to be added or 
subtracted, as the case may be, to give the season for any 
given locality. 
Complicated as such a problem must necessarily be, it 
is quite possible, not to say probable, that upon any such 
medial line, the variations, due to the different climates 
of the seaboard and the Appalachians; the Mississippi 
valley and the Rockies; the Sierras and the Pacific coast 
region would prove too great, as well as too complex, for 
the utility of such plan. 
Probably the most important, and at the same time one 
of the most difficult problems in this combination of im¬ 
portant particulars, is that of determining and indicating, 
in some direct and practical manner, the measure of the 
success of varieties in different localities. The plan of 
starring and the general arrangement of the catalogue of 
the American Pomological Society, which was due largely, 
if not in fact mainly to the, even then, accurate knowl¬ 
edge, wide experience and keen perception of the late 
Patrick Barry, will doubtless long remain a monument to 
his memory. 
Still the pomological field has developed immensely 
since his plan of catalogue was devised ; and the time may 
have arrived, when not a change, but rather the amplifica¬ 
tion of his plan is desirable. To pomologists, it has long 
been obvious that the success of varieties is by no means 
limited by state or provincial lines; and that the rapid 
increase of the number of political subdivisions is con¬ 
stantly rendering the catalogue more cumbrous, and less 
convenient for study or consultation. 
In view of these and other conditions, which need not 
now be mentioned, it is proposed to divide the entire 
fruit-growing portion of the continent into districts, regard¬ 
less of state or other governmental lines ; but rather in 
accordance with pomological and climatic peculiarities; 
with the purpose to, by such means, largely simplify the 
process of starring, by reducing the number of columns 
necessary for such purpose. 
As an illustration of the condensation possible under 
such arrangement, while Northern Maine, New Hamp¬ 
shire, Vermont, New York and perhaps the upper penin¬ 
sula of Michigan would doubtless be districted with por¬ 
tions of British America, the remainder of New England, 
New York, and Michigan, together with at least portions 
of the four states adjoining at the South, would fall 
naturally into a single district. The necessity to disre¬ 
gard state lines will, of course, be rendered greater by the 
modifying influence of ocean exposure, and by that of the 
several mountain ranges ; which cut up states into singu¬ 
larly varied climatic districts. 
The process employed by the American Pomological 
Society of appointing committees in each state for the 
collection of facts for the revision of the catalogue has 
not proved satisfactory. Indeed, during the past two 
years, notwithstanding the earnest efforts of the general 
chairman, the matter collected for this purpose has proved 
so limited that the catalogue will be omitted in the cur¬ 
rent volume of transactions. 
In pursuance of action taken at the session of the 
American Pomological Society, held last winter at Sacra¬ 
mento, Cal., it seems probable that measures will be 
