Apples, 126. Cherries, 32.

Pears, 351. Grapes, 2.

Apricots, 5. Raspberries, 3.

Plums, 31. Strawberries, 75.

The benefits conferred upon the fruit-growing community, and the amount of time, labor, and expense saved by this classification, are beyond calculation; in my own opinion the Society would have deserved well of its country, had it accomplished nothing beyond the condemnation of the 625 varieties contained in its list of rejected fruits. But it has done more: a vast number of synonyms and errors in nomenclature have been exposed and corrected; much valuable information respecting the culture, pruning, and training of the tree, and the preservation and ripening of fruit, has been elicited; and in the compilation of the State reports, a mass of matter has been collected, of interest to every pomologist.

We have seen what has been already done, let us now look forward to the future.

That the system heretofore pursued, of recommending fruits for general cultivation, has limits to its successful operation, is evident from the fact that comparatively few varieties are equally adapted to every part of our extensive territory. Members have at different times spoken of the disadvantages attending this practice; and at the last session a protest from southern Ohio was recorded against nine apples now upon the general list, as unsuited to that region. As that list is enlarged, the objections will of course become more frequent and forcible, for but a limited number of varieties are thoroughly tested in every State. These being exhausted, there are obvious reasons why imperfectly known sorts will fail to obtain a place on the list. It would indeed be improper and unjust that they should be placed there.

To show that I am not alone in the opinion that the time has arrived when we should make a change in our system, I need only refer to the resolution offered at the last session by Mr. Walker, the chairman of the general fruit committee. Other members evinced a disposition to make alterations in the general list, which was very properly received with disfavor. Mr. Walkers motion I considered a step in the right direction, and regretted that it met with so little approbation. My own views are, in the main, consonant with his, and I will suggest a mode of procedure which I conceive would be productive of the best results.

Our general list is already sufficiently large for all practical purposes; let it stand as it is: we may occasionally add a variety with advantage, but it should be done with caution. Let the chairman for each State be empowered to appoint the remainder of his committee of seven, and be charged with the duty of preparing, conjointly with them, lists of varieties adapted to the soil and climate of their State. When, as in some States, there exist well-defined, natural divisions, possessing some peculiarity of soil or climate, special lists should be prepared for such locality, and in case any variety now upon the general list is found unsuited to a particular locality, it should be reported as being so.

These lists, being placed in the possession of the general chairman, should be presented by him at each meeting for the consideration of the Society, and no important objection being made, be promulgated under its recommendation. The general chairman should also issue circulars (as has sometimes been done) to each State chairman, designating certain points upon which information may be desirable, and directing the attention of his committee particularly to those points. In this manner we should, I think, improve upon the present voluminous system of State reports, which, however valuable, are too liable to become in some particulars repetitions of each other.

The committees on native and foreign fruits and synonyms, should all be required to report at each meeting, in accordance with the by-laws. It appears to me too, that in a society numbering more than 160 members, many of whom are pomologists of experience, there must be a sufficient number, who are qualified to serve on those committees with credit to themselves and the Society, to obviate the necessity of appointing one member upon the whole three, and three others upon two each, as is at present the case.

With respect to our lists of "rejected fruits," and those which "promise well," I have no alteration to suggest in our present course. Let additions be made to them in the usual manner. The former list, I for one should be glad to see increased, and the latter would be prevented from attaining an undue magnitude, by the draft made from it by the recommendation of the State committees.

The "few varieties which are recommended "for particular locations," would doubtless soon be incorporated in one or another State list, and that rather unsatisfactory division be allowed to disappear from the catalogue.

I think that the compilation of a catalogue embracing every variety under cultivation in the country, as suggested by Mr. Walker, is an important measure, and should be at once commenced; but would of course require a long time to bring it to any approximate degree of perfection. It should contain not only the correct standard name of each sort, but an accurate list of its synonyms, and would naturally become the standard of nomenclature on this side of the Atlantic. The demand for it from non-members would doubtless amply repay all expenses attending its publication.

I offer these suggestions in the hope of advancing the cause of pomologi-cal progress, and in order that they may be fully and freely discussed, ad interim. If I have the good fortune to be present at the next session, I intend to bring the subject more formally before the Society; should I not, I trust that some more worthy member will carry out ray intentions.

Respectfully, Jno. B. Eaton.