Essentials of Systematic Pomology

Abstract

THE increasing number of varieties of fruit and the uncertainties of commercial nomenclature render the study of pomology full of pitfalls, and the student and grower alike will welcome Prof. Drain's attempt to set forth the essentials of the subject in a lucid style, shorn of unnecessary detail. Though dealing with American conditions, the text-book should prove of value to workers in other countries also. In studying the principal varieties of hard and soft fruits the various points are tabulated into good and bad characters, with notes on distribution and extent of cultivation. Various keys for the classification of apples are considered, that of Carpenter and Stafford being regarded as the best, Shaw's key for leaves and Keil's group classification of the fruit also finding a place. Of special interest are the sections on fruit exhibition and judging, details of American rules being given with the appropriate methods of scoring points. Exercises for class work are suggested, with practical hints on the cold storage of soft fruits for examination at later dates. A glossary of pomological terms and a certain number of references are included.

Essentials of Systematic Pomology.

By Prof. Brooks D. Drain. (The Wiley Agricultural Series.) Pp. v + 284. (New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1925.) 13s. 6d. net.