Pears and their Culture in the South. 129 



purposes, taking into consideration vigor, healtli and productiveness of tree, 

 with quality, size and appearance of fruit, I would most unhesitatingly say 

 Duchesse d'Angouleme. It is par excellence the pear for the South, well 

 tested and succeeding everywhere. It combines more good qualities than 

 any other of the tested varieties. What our new kinds, LeConte and Keiffer, 

 may do in this way remains to be seen. I have often said that if I planted 

 but one pear it should be the Duchesse. It ripens rather late for the northern 

 market, and does not bring the highest figures, but the yield is so great, the 

 size so large, and the crop so reliable, that I consider it profitable as a market 

 variety. 



For market purposes only, no pear has so far been able to compete with 

 the Bartlett, when properly grown, and there are many who call it the best 

 table pear. Unfortunately, it is liable to blight; but so great is its popular- 

 ity that many will plant it and take the risk. If it has any rival in market 

 it is the Howell. Maturing about the same time, not differing greatly in 

 size or form, excellent in cpiality, it has the advantage of the Bartlett in a 

 smooth and glossy skin, giving it a waxen appearance. Last season I shipped 

 this variety with the Bartlett, and it sold for the same price, while others 

 dropped below. It is, however, by no means blight-proof, and on the quince 

 will overbear and soon lose its vigor. 



Beurre d'Anjou is qiiite a favorite in many parts of the South for table 

 use, and some grow it for market. With me it has hardly color enough, and 

 many specimens have lumps in the flesh, while the flavor is not altogether 

 a,cceptable to my taste. It sells for moderat^ prices, as it ripens rather late 

 for the Northern market and when our Southern markets are stocked with 

 fruits of all kinds. 



The Seckel, standing at the head of the list for quality, from its small si.ce 

 and season of ripening (August, in latitude 32|°), together with its tardiness 

 in bearing, is only moderately profitable, and not largely planted except for 

 family use. It is, however, among the healthiest of any of the older kinds. 



Doyenne Boussock is a fruit of good .size and api^earance, while the quality 

 is fair. It lacks a little in sweetness. It comes in rather ahead of the Bart- 

 lett. I notice that some Southern catalogues place it as late as August, or 

 after the Bartlett. It may be considered a profitable variety. Tree is mod- 

 erately healthy and vigorous. 



The Julienne is a profitable variety in the South, has a bright yellow color, 

 iind excellent quality, while its season (early July, here) helps it to sell. It 

 is of medium size, hardly large enough. It costs more to gather and pack a 

 box of small fruit than large ones. Tree of moderate health and vigor, with 

 a spreading form. 



Winter Nellis ripens at a season that ought to make it profitable. Its qual- 

 ity is very fine when in perfection, but the tree so often sheds its leaves, and 

 then the fruit fails to ripen well, so that I can hardly call it a success with 

 me. 



