Systematic pomology, or the branch of pomology dealing with our knowledge of the fruits themselves, is explored in Frank Waugh's 1903 book, as well as the trees, bushes, or vines on which they grow. He treats three distinct subjects: description, nomenclature, and classification.

The book is aimed to be a treatise on the ‘Systematic Pomology’, the primary component of science of fruits, dealing with identification, nomenclature and classification of fruit species based on the descriptions of characteristics related to their morphological, genetical, physiological, biochemical, biotechnological and eco-attributes. Besides taxonomic narrative of each species under the respective orders and genera, considerable emphasis has been laid on cultivars. The treatment is based on the latest version of Nomenclature and Phylogenetic System of Classification (APG III). The book is richly illustrated with diagrams and colour plates and carries fairly exhaustive bibliography and glossary. Thus, the book is of high academic value for research workers/teachers, students and anyone interested in advanced fruit culture to provide insight in identifying and classifying fruit plants, providing standard nomenclature and terminology, in avoiding the confusion from synonymy and promoting correct labeling, to understand their genetic relations, in establishing or maintaining a garden, a germplasm block, a research orchard or even herbaria, in identification of new genotypes or cultivars for introduction and in deciding orchard management practices as well as methods of utilization, in using the correct related cultivars kept in a genetic resources repository for improvement considering the limits of hybridization, and in selecting genetic material for a breeding programme considering their taxonomic proximities and specific characters related to fruit bearing, regularity, nutritive and edible quality, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and plant stature and form.

"Taxonomists dealing with fruit crops have rated systematic pomology as an advanced horticultural subject and takes into consideration the basic aspects of taxonomy i.e. identification, naming of fruit plant species and varieties, besides, placements or logical classification of each fruit type under specific units of classification. For sound horticultural systematic knowledge primarily those of taxonomy, morphology, genetics, cytology and plant breeding is essential. For good reading material it is essential for systematic pomologists to use information of the associated sciences with appropriate explanations and applications. The present work provides elementary knowledge to the students who have started studying systematic pomology and covers: Introduction (three sub-heads) presents the more academic elements of taxonomy related to the theories, hypothesis, basic principles pre-requisite of systematics which are required for a minimum working knowledge of systematic pomology. The detail regarding general origin and distribution, flower and fruit structure is given so that students with this background knowledge are in a position to cope with problems related both to varietal descriptions and testing. Significance of systematic pomology to varietal improvement, new variety sources and methods of synthesis are detailed. The section 1-4 comprises of systematic enumeration of 58 fruits, discussed under the heads of tropical and subtropical, small fruits, nut fruits and temperate fruits. Each crop covers in detail the historical background, origin, distribution and uses, pomological traits of fruit, important species and cultivars and line drawings of flowers and fruits structures. List of cultivars is restricted to popular cultivars as the cultivation status is ever changing. The glossary and annexures are designed with thrust on clarity and brevity. The annexures provide detailed information of fruit crops, fruit types, genera, species and tribes, their number and status in fruit crop families. Botanical terms chart provides morphological description of leaf, floral structure and form, inflorescence root and rootstock for easily understanding by the readers."

Publishes research in all areas of the plant sciences.

Volumes for 1869-1952 include Extracts from the proceedings of the Royal Horticultural Society.