THE OLD PEAR TREES AND APPLE 

 TREES OF MONROE. 



A PAPER READ BEFORE THE STATE POMOLOGIOAL SOCIETY AT MONROE, 



JUNE 30th, by EDWIN WILLITS, ESQ. 



Gentlemen and Ladies: The committee assigned to me the subject of 

 the old pear and apple trees of Monroe. There was no suggestion as to how 

 the subject should be treated, whether historically, botanically, or pomologi- 

 cally. If the latter alone, I assume they would have selected some other per- 

 son more fitted for the task, as we do not lack those who could give the 

 requisite information in more scientific phrases, or with more appropriate 

 terms than myself. But as I have been more noted for the interest I have mani- 

 fested in the history of the good old time that, like distance, "lends enchant- 

 ment to the view," I assume I was to have full scope, with liberty to range 

 where I would, and glean what I might think would be of interest, leaving the 

 botanical and pomological facts to take care of themselves. If there should be 

 any such worthy of record in the archives of the society, I will glean them 

 out, and furnish an abstract thereof for the secretary. As it is, I desire to say 

 what I do in good faith, and not for the purpose of using this occasion for 

 the glorification of this goodly region that resounded to the revelry of a happy 

 people when the Genesee valley was a wilderness and the beautiful lake region 

 of New York the home of the savage and his prey. At least, on this subject, 

 I feel as did Roscommon when he said : 



" I pity from my soul unhappy men, 

 Compelled by want to prostitute the pen. 

 Who must, like lawyers, either starve or plead, 

 And follow, right or wrong, where guineas lead." 



THE ORIGIN OF THE OLD PEAK TREES. 



Of course the first consideration to be regarded, is the origin and pedigree, 

 as it were, of these old trees. No person living saw them planted. Four gen- 

 erations have been partakers of their fruits, but no one can tell from his own 

 knowledge of their origin. 



THREE SEEDS FROM FRANCE. 



I addressed myself to the investigation of the subject, and the first persoa 

 to whom I addressed my inquiries, was the son of a man now living in his 



