Robert
Manning was one of the most "thorough and accurate
of American descriptive pomologists."
In 1823 he established in Salem, Massachusetts,
what he termed his "Pomological Garden." He collected
many cultivars of various kinds of fruits but pears
were his particular interest. At one time he is said
to have had 2000 cultivars of which one-half were
pears. he recorded specimens from Belgium and in
England from the London Horticultural Society. In 1838
he published his Book of Fruits, being a
descriptive catalogue of the most valuable varieties
of the pear, apple, peach, plum, and cherry for New
England culture. All descriptions were drawn from
the fruits the book was illustrated. He was assisted
by John M. Ives and in 1844 Ives published a second
edition entitled, The New England Fruit Book. A
third edition in 1847 was called New England Book
of Fruits.
At this stage in American pomology, cultivars were
of the greatest importance (as they are today). Bailey
states, "The scientific management of orchards has not
yet risen." Manning was one of the founders of the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
