When we reflect on the unsettled and chaotic condition of pomology in our country when our Society was established, the narrow limits to which fruit culture was confined, and the few engaged in it, and compare it with the immense territory now occupied for this purpose, and its importance as a great industry of our country, I think it may be well to take a retrospective view and see what our Society has accomplished.

Its formation opened a new era of enterprise in the annals of American Pomology, which has no parallel in those of other lands. It was the first great national pomological society, embracing in its organization the largest area for fruit culture in the world, where almost every fruit of every zone may be grown in perfection.

It has brought into close communion of interest, and concert of action, the most experienced and skilful pomologists of our country; and by its proceedings and publications has furnished examples and methods of work which have been adopted by other pomological and horticultural societies, all working harmoniously together, and thus has become the acknowledged pomological authority of our land.

It is truly an American Society, having, through all the vicissitudes of the past, held in the bonds of friendly intercourse for the promotion of our cause, the North, East, West and the South, and every region where fruits can be grown on this continent.

It has raised the standard of excellence by which our fruits are judged, discouraged the cultivation of inferior sorts, and thus educated the taste of the public for those of better quality, so that kinds once common in our markets have become obsolete, and are now considered unworthy of propagation. In doing this portion of its work it has discarded by general consent more than six hundred varieties, either worthless or superseded by better sorts.

It has established a uniform system of rules, by which fruits are to be shown and judged. But, what is of the highest importance, it has instituted a much needed reform in the nomenclature of fruits, by which all long, unpronounceable, indelicate, inappropriate, and superfluous words are to be suppressed in the dedication of our fruits.

One of the grandest achievements of the Society is its Catalogue of Fruits, published biennially, with isothermal divisions and columns for fifty States, Territories, and districts, in which are recorded the fruits which may successfully be grown in those divisions, with stars to designate the merits and seasons of each. This is a work of great merit, and not attempted by any other society. And here let me say, that we should never forget how large a debt of gratitude we owe to Mr. P. Barry, as Chairman of the General Fruit Committee, for its compilation and classification. He has performed this duty for a long course of years; and fortunate indeed is it that we have, as his successor, his son, Mr. W. C. Barry, who has been so well educated for this duty.

Few things in the history and progress of American Pomology have been more effective in the past and more promising of valuable results in the future than our system of State Reports. They embrace correct information from trustworthy persons, having special reference to the varieties most successfully grown; new kinds worthy of special notice; the chief obstacles to successful fruit culture in each district; and correct information in regard to the extent and progress of fruit culture in each section of our country, and are published under the supervision of the chairman of the General Fruit Committee of our Society, and contain a vast fund of information not elsewhere to be found.

These reports constitute a mine of pomological wealth, and contain not only all the modifications and changes which may have been made in collecting information concerning the culture of fruits, but also in the naming of them, and the synonyms by which they are known; the most desirable varieties being designated in our catalogue by stars, according to their several merits.

I cannot close my remarks on this subject without expressing the very great interest I feel in continuing this most important branch of our researches through generations to come, so that for all time we may have a system for the advancement of pomology, which shall be worthy of our nation and the great interests we represent. Had it done nothing else, this alone would entitle our Society to the universal approval which it now receives, and the gratitude of the generations which are to succeed us.

Before the organization of the Society, while we had around us, an immense region ready for the cultivation of the finest fruits, great confusion prevailed in nomenclature, and the difference between good and bad sorts was very dimly appreciated. At that time, pomologists experienced great difficulty in obtaining varieties true to name; and sometimes, after repeatedly procuring fruits, and losing years in waiting lor them to bear, found themselves where they started. The American Pomological Society has performed an immense labor through its meetings and its committees, in correcting this confusion, and it is wonderful to contrast the early condition of pomology with its present mature state. Its future labor will be continuous and of vital moment, in introducing new and valuable varieties; and what will be of the greatest importance, maintaining an accurate nomenclature. It will inform fruit-growers, in every State and Territory, what fruits they are to look to for successful culture. But most important of all, its business will be to give American Pomology a high character as a science; to prevent the appearance of mere money-making and petty attempts to impart undue prominence to new favorites by laudatory names.

The continued aim of the Society will be to maintain a position of dignity, integrity, and impartial usefulness.

To record all the good the American Pomological Society has accomplished would be equivalent to writing the history of Ameridan Pomology during the period of the Society's existence. Its proceedings are not only a record of the events of the time, but they clearly show that the Society has been pre-eminently instrumental in shaping and directing the pomological destinies of our continent. It has organized and systematized everything pertaining to fruit culture, and has developed and elevated American Pomology. The Fruit Catalogue is a grand and glorious work, but far greater is the educational and refining influence which the Society exerts over its members. No one - unless he be irredeemably depraved, - could attend its meetings without becoming not only a better pomologist, but also a better man and Christian.

The work which our Society assumed was immense. It required a great Society to carry it on. A great amount of time, labor, and treasure has been expendedin bringing it to its present flourishing condition; but however great the labors performed, and the sacrifices made in behalf of our Society, not one regrets them, but all rejoice that they have had a share in promoting a work so beneficent in its design, and in perpetuating it for the comfort and happiness of mankind.

That the Society's mission for the future will be not less beneficial is hardly to be doubted, built upon so solid a foundation as it is. It will continue and complete the reform in nomenclature just commenced. As the laws that govern cross-fertilization become better and better understood, it is not improbable that the most desirable types and strains of fruits will become more firmly established, resulting in the diminution of the number of varieties, and the perpetuation of only those best adapted to our various climates and soils. The special aim of the Society should be to enlist in its active membership all the best elements of our country, and to form, as far as possible, a closer relation with all existing State Pomological or Fruit Growers' Societies. (To be concluded in next issue).