Pomology Charles were prominent in Pomology and Horticulture, producing "The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America" (1845). The introduction of new varieties required exact depiction of the fruit so that plant breeders could accurately document and disseminate their research results. Since the use of scientific photography was not widespread in the late 19th Century, USDA commissioned artists to create watercolor illustrations of newly introduced cultivars. Many of the watercolors were used for lithographic reproductions in USDA publications, such as the "Report of the Pomologist" and the "Yearbook of Agriculture". Today, the collection of approximately 7,700 watercolors is preserved in the National
Pomology Pomology Pomology (from latin "pomum" (fruit) + "-logy") is a branch of botany that studies and cultivates fruit. The denomination fruticulture—introduced from Romance languages (from Latin "fructus" and "cultura")—is also used. Pomological research is mainly focused on the development, enhancement, cultivation and physiological studies of fruit trees. The goals of fruit tree improvement include enhancement of fruit quality, regulation of production periods, and reduction of production cost. One involved in the science of pomology is called a pomologist. Pomology has been an important area of research for centuries. During the mid-19th century in the United States, farmers were expanding fruit