Pomology orchard programs in response to growing markets. At the same time, horticulturists from the USDA and agricultural colleges were bringing new varieties to the United States from foreign expeditions, and developing experimental lots for these fruits. In response to this increased interest and activity, USDA established the Division of Pomology in 1886 and named Henry E. Van Deman as chief pomologist. An important focus of the division was to publish illustrated accounts of new varieties and to disseminate research findings to fruit growers and breeders through special publications and annual reports. During this period Andrew Jackson Downing and his brother
What Is Theosophy? What Is Theosophy? "What Is Theosophy?" is an editorial published in October 1879 in the Theosophical magazine "The Theosophist." It was compiled by Helena Blavatsky and included into the 2nd volume of the "Blavatsky Collected Writings." According to a doctoral thesis by Tim Rudbøg, in this "important" article Blavatsky "began conceptualizing her idea of 'Theosophy'." Blavatsky writes that, "according to lexicographers, the term "theosophia" is composed of two Greek words—"theos" "god," and "sophos" "wise." She then writes that Noah Webster defines it as "a supposed intercourse with God and superior spirits, and consequent attainment of superhuman knowledge, by "physical processes,"