THE WILLIAMSON PEAR. 



THE WILLIAMSON PEAR. 



BY H. WOOD, LONG-ISLAND, N. Y. 



A. J. Downing, Esq. — I send you by express, two specimens of a seedling pear, which 

 sprung up wild in a piece of woodland on the south side of Long-Island, belonging to 

 Nicholas Williamson, Esq. The tree attracted no attention until Mr. W., having occasion 

 to clear the timber from the land, left it exposed to the sun and air, when it soon com- 

 menced bearing. 



There can be no doubt of its being a 

 natural seedling, but whether it is an 

 acquisition of any value, I leave you to 

 determine. Many believe our Ameri- 

 can seedlings AV ill prove more hardy and 

 profitable than the delicate foreign va- 

 rieties in cultivation; and I think I 

 have seen remarks of your own to that 

 effect. 



The tree appears quite hardy, is a 

 good grower and bearer. 



Mr. AY. has sold the fruit at high pri- 

 ces in Fulton market, and those who 

 had it once invariably desired to pur- 

 chase it again, having readily retailed 

 them for sixpence each. 



The specimens sent are not above the 

 average size of this fruit. The tree 

 stands in sod ground, and has never 

 been manured or cultivated in any man- 



Ugj., The Williainso7t Penr. 



You will observe that these specimens show no calyx ; this is a distinct characteristic of the 

 fruit, so far as I have observed, and must decide the originality of the variety. Should 

 you think it worthy of publicity, I propose to christen it the "Williamson Pear." From 

 my knowledge of the gentlemanly owner of this tree, I am confident he will be happy to 

 supply you with grafts, should you desire to obtain the variety. Yours, II. Wood. 



Brambleworth Cottage, Oct. 2, 1851. 



We are a little reserved in our praise of new varieties — but there can be no hesitation in 

 pronouncing this pear one of the very best. The flavor is of the rich saccharine-vinous, 

 well known in such fruits as Surpasse Virgalieu, Beurre Bosc, &c. The fruit has a rich 

 yellow color, abundantly sprinkled with russet dots, and has a " thorough-bred" look 

 and taste in all respects. Cultivators will do well to get possession of what appears to 

 be a new American sort of such a high grade. 



The following is the pomological description of the fruit : Medium size — obovate, nar- 

 rowing pretty rapidly to the stalk. Stalk, short and stout, set in a moderate cavity — 

 which is a little higher on one side than the other. Calyx, none — its place is occupied with 

 a small scar — set in a deep, rather narrow, russeted basin. Skin, rich golden yellow at 

 maturity — thickly sprinkled with russet dots — and considerably russeted at each end. 

 Seeds, small and flattened. Flesh, yellowish Avhite, fine grained, melting, (though more 

 in texture than most melting pears,) with an abundant juice, and a rich s 

 inous flavor — October. Ed. 



