XXVII. 2. THE PEAR. 437 



The Apple, the Pear, the Service, the Beam- tree and the 

 Mountain Ash, besides several less important plants, belong to 

 this genus. 



The Pear Tree, P. communis, is too well known to need a 

 description, and several writers have given directions for its 

 cultivation in this climate. It grows rapidly and forms a tall 

 and finely shaped head; the fruit is agreeable and wholesome 

 as food, and the juice forms a pleasant liquor; and it is to be 

 regretted that this tree is not more frequently planted. Rows 

 of the pear tree might often border road-sides and divisions of 

 lands, with little injury to the grass or other vegetation, and 

 to the great relief of travellers, and the protection of orchards 

 and gardens. 



There are few in any community, certainly in ours, so lost to 

 a sense of right, and so insensible of gratitude, as to desire to 

 make depredations on the property of their neighbors, when 

 their hunger may be appeased, and their taste gratified, by the 

 fruit of trees standing by the road-side. And how much enjoy- 

 ment would be given to that class, always to be found, in every 

 country, who have no fruit trees of their own, by planting a 

 number of such trees, in every village, and along every public 

 road, for the very purpose of being, and being considered, public 

 property ! A more effectual and benevolent way of protecting 

 valuable fruit trees, and preventing depredations, cannot easily 

 be devised. On this point, Gerard, a quaint but earnest old 

 writer upon plants, uses an exhortation, the spirit of which we. 

 hope many may be ready to adopt. " Forward/' says he, " in 

 the name of God, grafte, set, plant and nourish up trees in every 

 corner of your ground ; the labor is small, the cost is nothing; 

 the commodity is great ; yourselves shall have plenty ; the poor 

 shall have somewhat in time of want, to relieve their necessity ; 

 and God shall reward your goode mindes and diligence. — {Her- 

 bal, p. 1459.) Loudon says he was much struck with the lines 

 of fruit trees which bordered all the public roads in the south of 

 Germany, the apples and pears being bent almost to the ground 

 with their loads of fruit. 



The wood of the pear is of a reddish white color, heavy, firm, 



