204 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



quite equal to the Seckel. The Beurre Giffard is well spoken 

 of ; it requires high culture. The Doyenne d'Ete is said to be 

 the earliest summer pear. Osbaud's Summer is well recom- 

 mended. The Tyson is very late in coming into bearing ; the 

 Bloodgood somewhat so. Of early autumn pears, the Bartlett 

 outranks all others ; not because it is better, or even equal, in 

 quality to some others, but more on account of its being the 

 best-known pear raised ; it is reliable and good ; but the Belle 

 Lucrative is better, though, not being generally known, it does 

 not bring half as much in market. One writer considers it 

 " second to none in vigor of growth, productiveness and quality 

 of fruit" ; another describes it as " very hardy, productive and 

 rich ; succeeds with common culture." The Andrews is excel- 

 lent, but the tree, so far as I know, shows signs of early decay 

 in this vicinity. The Louise Bonne de Jersey has been very 

 popular, and perhaps deserves to be so still on account > f its 

 productiveness ; it is generally regarded now as a second-rate 

 pear. It is spoken of as follows by a gentleman residing in 

 Western New York, a little further north than we are : " I grow 

 over forty varieties, and regard the Louise Bonne de Jersey as 

 the very best for canning. It is handsomely shaped, so it looks 

 nicely when canned ; it is just tart enough to give a fine flavor 

 to the canned fruit ; the tree is very healthy and hardy, bearing 

 abundant crops at the West and North." 



At the head of late autumn varieties, with regard to quality, 

 we put, unhesitatingly, the Flemish Beauty and the Seckel ; but 

 the former will crack ; nevertheless, if the cracked fruit be early 

 picked off, the crop will probably be quite satisfactory. The 

 Seckel is a tardy bearer, and requires very rich soil ; the fruit is 

 small, but the quality is unquestionable. Swan's Orange is a 

 hardy variety, large, handsome fruit, and fair quality ; in some 

 places it rots badly at the core. Beurre d'Anjou, a late fall, or 

 early winter variety, is deservedly gaining in popularity. It 

 produces regularly, large, good fruit, somewhat tart. With a 

 good word for the Duchesse d'Angouleme, we pass on to notice 

 a few winter varieties. 



The Winter Nelis is a pear of fine quality, but the tree is not 

 as hardy as the Lawrence, which is probably better adapted to 

 our climate. Unlike the Bartlett, and many other varieties, the 

 Lawrence often remains in good condition to be eaten for several 



