FEBRUARY. 53 



Another dish, grown on a standard (No. 4) in the same garden, were much 

 smaller, melting, and juicy, but astringent. 



By Mr. Smith (gardener to T. W. Tatton, Esq., Wythenshaw, Cheshire), 

 from south wall ; young tree, on Pear stock, planted on prepared stations ; 

 soil strong loam, over clay. Fruit very large and green, buttery, and melting, 

 but rather watery, and deficient in saccharine flavour. 



From the above facts concerning aspect, district, soil, &c, the fol- 

 lowing deductions may be gleaned : — -1st. That it is generally a variety 

 requiring a wall, although succeeding well on espaliers in the south- 

 western counties. 2nd. That the quality of the fruit graduates very 

 nearly as the soil passes from light sandy loam, over porous subsoils, 

 to strong loam ovef retentive clays. 3rd. That size increases, but 

 flavour diminishes when the trees grow on rich garden mould. 4th. 

 That the more favourable aspects on which the trees are grown, in 

 Essex ami Cheshire, are insufficient to compensate for the stronger soil, 

 combined with the difference in latitude. 5th. That, in the south- 

 western district, the difference of climate is sufficient to compensate 

 for that between wall and espalier, and between strong soil and light. 

 This synopsis of the comparison between the merits of the different 

 examples and the circumstances under which they have been grown, is 

 given as an instance of the manner in which it is proposed to collate, 

 analyse, and classify the information gathered, concerning different 

 varieties, so soon as a sufficient body thereof is obtained, to admit of its 

 being done in a reliable manner. No comment is necessary to explain 

 the great usefulness of such information when made public. It is also 

 given to show to members and others the great aid they may render by 

 sending specimens of all fruits in season, accompanied by forms care- 

 fully filled up. It is proper to mention, that in the above deduction the 

 leading features only of the information furnished have been made use 

 of; there are many other points — such as shelter and exposure, altitude, 

 inclination of surface, &c. — which modify the effect of the more im- 

 portant conditions and circumstances, and which will be useful in 

 more extended analyses, by explaining results which would otherwise 

 appear discrepant. 



Class B. — Premiums of 1/. and 10s. for the best and second best 

 six fruits of Winter Nelis Pear. Nine dishes also were exhibited ; 

 but their general quality, either in appearance or flavour, was not pro- 

 portionately equal to those in the previous class. The finest dish, in 

 every respect, was one placed, " not for competition," by Messrs. M. 

 Webber and Co. The first prize was awarded to a dish exhibited by 

 Mr. Cox, from a south wall (soil, see Glou Morceau). They were 

 large, very juicy and melting, vinous, and sugary in flavour. — The 

 second prize, to a dish by Mr. Wighton, from an espalier. Fruit 

 small, somewhat shrivelled and spotted, but deliciously juicy, melting, 

 and fine flavoured. Reported to be much subject to mildew. The 

 quality of the remaining dishes was according to the order in which 

 they are described : — 



Exhibited by Mr. Tiley, from an espalier. Medium sized, melting, and 

 sugary. 



. By Mr. M'Laren (gardener to J. C. Whitbread, Esq., Cardington, near Bed- 

 ford), from east wall, on light, black, gravelly soil, over very porous subsoil. 

 Fruit medium sized, very melting and sweet, but slightly astringent. 



