JANUARY. 7 



15. Monarch. This Pear is rather below the middle size, round- 

 ish-obovate in shape, and somewhat irregular in outline. Eye small, 

 slightly sunk in an evenly formed cavity ; segments small and re- 

 flexed. Stalk short, not deeply inserted in a narrow depression. Skin 

 yellowish green, a little russeted, and very faintly tinged with dull 

 red on the exposed j)arts. Fljsh yellow, firm, but buttery, mode- 

 rately juicy and exceedingly rich, having a slightly musky and pecu- 

 liar flavour. Generally fit for table in December. The trees are hardy 

 and free bearers : but I have found the fruit peculiarly liable to be 

 blown off before it was fit to gather ; this, how^ever, may have arisen 

 from accidental circum.stances, and may not be the case generally. 

 At any rate, the Monarch is an excellent Pear, perhaps the very best 

 of Mr. Knight's seedlings. 



16. Eyewood. A good deal like the Crassane in form, but scarcely 

 so large. Eye rather large; segments lying back on the sides of a 

 shallow and even depression. Stalk long and slender, only slightly 

 sunk at its insertion. Skin dull yellow, much freckled with russet 

 dots, and sometimes very faintly tinted with red on the sunny side. 

 Flesh whitish, not perfectly buttery, but juicy, sugary, and brisk. 

 Another of Mr. Knight's seedlings, and a very good Pear; in use about 

 the beginning of November. 



17. Thompson's. Fruit middle-sized; in general form obovate, 

 but rather irregular in outline and uneven in surface. Eye not deeply 

 seated ; segments short. Stalk only slightly sunk. The skin con- 

 siderably resembles that of the Passe Colmar both in colour and in 

 a particular glossiness. Flesh white, perfectly melting, and abound- 

 ing in luscious juice, with a flavour equal, if not superior, to any Pear 

 of its season, which is the end of October and beginning of Novem- 

 ber. The tree is hardy and productive, and succeeds well trained as 

 a p3Tamid. This admirable sort was named in compliment to Mr. 

 Thompson, fruit-gardener to the Horticultural Society; and 1 cannot 

 convey a more favourable impression of its merit to those who know 

 Mr. T. than by saying that it is worthy of its name. 



J. B. Whiting. 



PELARGONIUMS FOR EXHIBITION. 



As specimens for exhibition in some respects require dlflferent man- 

 agement from small plants for the home stage, inasmuch as they 

 must be had in bloom at a given time, I take this opportunity of re- 

 cording the proper course of treatment to ensure a good head of bloom 

 in May. To manage this nicely requires some forethought and ex- 

 perience. 



In addition to a judicious selection of plants for early work, they 

 should have had their last shift not later than the beginning of Octo- 

 ber; and by the present time the pots should be tolerably full of roots, 

 and the plants have made strong growth. They will now require 

 encouragement, by putting on a little fire early in the afternoon, just 

 sufficient to raise the temperature of the house ; when warm, syringe 



