KEW FOEEIGN PEARS. 



"tannic acid is a specific manure for Strawberries," improving ihelv Jlavor if not their 

 size. Indeed, I think something was said about toads being able to distinguish Straw- 

 berries where tannic acid had been used, from others. But tan here has had its day, 

 and its use is now universally " voted a nuisance." As a mulch for Strawberries, it is 

 a dirty article, when wet staining the dresses of females while picking the berries. 

 For a winter covering it is no better, to say the most of it, than straw, forest leaves, 

 or saw-dust, either of which can usually be as easily procured as tan. If used as a 

 winter covering, it is much more trouble to remove it in the spring than straw or 

 leaves. As to its effects on the soil, if spaded in, on a stiff clai/, it may not, as you 

 suggest, "do any harm," while on all other soils I believe it to be decidedly injurious. 



As to potash, of which " T." speaks, I believe it is pretty generally understood that 

 leached ashes, if not used too freely, form a good top-dressing for Strawberries, afford- 

 ing all the potash tliey usually need. Sulphate of ammonia will undoubtedly promote 

 the growth of the plants, but will not necessarily increase very greatly the crop of 

 fruit. I am in the habit of saving all the soot from my chimnies and stove-pipes, on 

 account of the sulphate of ammonia contained in it. This I apply to Strawberry 

 plants and other things, as I judge necessary. 



So subject is our climate to drouth, I think no crop would pay better for irrigating 

 than Strawberries ; and the cultivator who has w^ater that he can use in this way, 

 will find it to his account in so doings. 



NEW FOREIGN PEARS. 



The following new Pears are described as follows in the English Gardener's Chronicle^ 

 by M. De Liron d'Airoles, of Nantes. Several of them — such as Beurre Clair- 

 geau^ Nantais^ Duchesse de Berry ^ Conseiller de la Cour, Bon Gustave, Josephine de 

 Malines, &c. — have fruited in this country, and proved to be valuable. M. D'Airo- 

 les descriptions are the most complete we have met, except of the few described in 

 the Annals de Pomologie. 



'■'■Beurre Clairgeau. — The tree is remarkably vigorous, and soon forms a handsome 

 pyramid ; succeeds well against a wall with a south or an east aspect ; bears abund- 

 antly, and at an early age. Fruit variable in form, but generally calebasse-shaped ; a 

 superb fruit, weighing sometimes twenty ounces. It gained the first prize of the Hor- 

 ticultural Society of the Seine, in 1851. Its skin is fine, almost entirely covered with 

 patches of reddish russet when gathered ; but at its full maturity, which occurs in 

 November and December, it becomes richly colored with yellow and vermillion. Its 

 flesh is fine, white, melting, very juicy, sugary, and perfumed, liaised by Pierre 

 Clairgeau, a gardener at Nantes. 



" Beurre de JVantes, or JVantais. — Tree — vigorous, adapted for a pyramid or for 

 training against a wall ; it soon comes into a bearing state. Fruit — large, oblong, ot 

 form of the St. Germain. Skin — light green, yellowish when fully ripe. Flesh 



