20 



THE BEST FIVE \\ INTER PEARS. 



Fig. 9. Tlie Columbia, iiitli the stem shortened. 



vinous juice of the d'Aremberg, but 

 some of our good judges esteem the 

 Nelis above all others of the season. 



The growth of the tree is not 

 strong, but more so on the quince, 

 to which it seems weli adapted ; it 

 is hardy and thrifty in rich soils, 

 otherwise the shoots are more stint- 

 ed and feeble than is usual with 

 most other sorts. To obtain speci- 

 mens above medium size, requires 

 high cultivation and some thinning 

 of the fruit. Keeps and ripens well, 

 and bears good crops. Season, No- 

 vember to January. 



3. Columbia. — This excellent na- 

 tive variety has proved with me a 

 fruit more uniformly smooth, perfect 

 in shape, and free from the depre- 

 dations of insects, than almost any 



other sort. The tree is thrifty and 

 hardy, not prolific when young, but 

 a great bearer on mature subjects, 

 the fruit being regularly distribu- 

 ted over the branches, and of very 

 uniform size. I was so much plea- 

 sed with this variety when it first 

 came to my notice, that I despatch- 

 ed a special messenger from the 

 city of New- York, to the owner of 

 the original tree in Westchester 

 county, for half a bushel of the 

 pears ; and I did not regret the ex- 

 pense of twelve and a half dollars, 

 when I consider the acquisition of 

 such a fine American variety. My 



Fig. 10. The Gtuut Morceau. 



