THE ORANGE PEAR. 



year was well ripened, and thus prepared for almost any degree of cold. The Osage 

 Orange, which has stood in my grounds many years, is perfectly fresh and sound to the 

 terminal bud of its last season's growth. In some mild winters, with the thermometer 

 not falling lower thad G" above zero, it has been killed back twelve inches of its previous 

 season's growth. This is esteemed rather a tender tree in our latitude. 



The exceeding heat of the first half of last September, gave uncommon ripeness to the 

 young wood, and on examination, it will probably be found that, although the winter has 

 been rigorous almost beyond precedent in modern times, with that wise superintendence of 

 a kind Providence, which so mercifully governs the physical world, our vegetation will come 

 out as vigorous and fruitful as when it has scarcely been scathed by the frosts of winter. 

 Early in March, however, the winter broke through, and spring came out in its accustom- 

 ed joyousness. The Song-Sparrow, the Blue-bird, the Robin, and the red-winged Black- 

 bird, appeared among us with their welcome songs, and but for a timely check of a few 

 cold days, and a snow-storm about the 20th, as usual, we might have suffered more by 

 the untimely warmth of an early spring, than bj' the exceeding cold of the winter. If I 

 may venture a prediction, the year 1852 will prove one of uncommon fruitfulness. 



Jeffreys. 



Note. — In Critique on February number, inserted in April, page 175, read Genoa, for 

 " Geneva," and showmen for "shoemakers." I could not be guilty of slandering a wor- 

 thy class of our mechanics, in such a scurvy category as was there enumerated. J. 



THE ORANGE PEAR— ONCE MORE. 



BY L. F. ALLEN, BLACK-ROCK, N. Y. 



I have read the communication of Col. Hodge, in the last Horticulturist, and am under 

 obligation to him for its history — in Buffalo. As to the rest of the matter, touching its 

 merits, he is parti}'' facetious, partly laudator}s and the remainder altogether atlooseends. 

 Setting aside the immaterial, (I perceive the Col. is somewhat of a law3'er, as well as po- 

 mologist,) part of his communication, which is quite well, I shall only notice what he re- 

 marks of the pear in question, and will hold him to the point, exactly. 



I said that the Orange Pear is a thrifty grower, very hardy, and bears large crops every 

 year. In these qualities he agrees with me. I also say, that its valuable qualities are 

 " for preserving and baking," and in these it is eminently good, or the best that I have 

 known. In these last qualities. Col. Hodge takes issue with me. Now, what does he say 

 in reply? Why, he plays the attornej^ goes into a process of special pleading, and petti- 

 Jogs the case, without any rebutting testimony whatever. He quotes me as saying that 

 it "absorbs sugar perfectly," as I did say; to which he adds " and abundantl}'," which 

 I did not say. He also asserts that its flesh is " dry," which I did say, and " yellow," 

 which I did not say. On the contrary, its flesh is a delicate white — as M-hite a fleshed 

 pear as any other. I said the color of the pear, (and by this any one would know I meant 

 the outside color, if he will refer to m^' description,) " is that of a rich lemon." He ac- 

 cuses me, in his self-instituted trial, of being a " partial presiding judge, on ex-parte tes- 

 timony," in which I am an " interested party." Very well; what has he to rebut this 

 timony," and " charge?" Why, nothing that is either evidence — or inference, even, 

 ever preserve the fruit — or bake it, to test its qualities? He quotes the action of 



