We left Philadelphia in the afternoon cars for 



and beinc: at the end of 



our Rail Road travel at 8| P. M., were met by the oldest son of the family with 

 their carriage and good strong farming team : although the distance was short, we 

 drove slowly,for the horses had performed their full share of spring labor at the 

 plough, as our gentlemanly guide thought it necessary to inform me. Perchance his 

 politeness in this apology for his team, was somewhat due to the fast driving he had 

 not failed to observe in the people among whom he had already resided for about 

 three years; he might mistake me, a stranger and by the dim light of the stars, for 

 one of the fast di'iving men of the age ; but on better acquaintance and by the 

 day light that social intercourse throws upon character, I trust he would place me 

 in a higher catalogue. 



It was eleven o'clock when we reached the house of the Pomologist, and our par- 

 ty, consisting of my friend with his two little daughters, my son and myself, were 

 received with the warm frank welcome of old acquaintances, that puts the heart at 

 ease. The whole family had awaited our arrival for a comfortable supper — rightly 

 anticipating that the nocturnal drive would sharpen our appetites, and we were at 

 once made to feel at home around the abundantly supplied table, in the midst of the 

 family circle. 



Retiring at a late hour, and sleeping the fast sound slumber that belongs so pe- 

 culiarly to the quiet of the country, I found myself wide awake, and what was still 

 more wonderful, loilling to get iq) at 5 o'clock in the morning; going to the window 

 of my chamber I found it looked out upon the gardens, and in a few moments I 

 heard low voices in conversation. The two Pomologists were soon visible, and had 

 started out with the early light of day to reconnoitre and compare notes, among the 

 young trees and the new grafts ; as they moved from Pear tree to Pear tree, from 

 row to row, and from path to path, even long after the sound of their voices was 

 lost by distance, it was not difficult to perceive by the gesticulations, or the delays 

 or rapid movements, the earnest interest with which they discussed their favorite 

 and engrossing science. My operations of shaving and dressing were so prolonged 

 by the time consumed in watching these friendly pomologists, that I did not join 

 them until it was the hour for their early breakfast. But I must not run ahead of 

 my subject; I desire to introduce my reader to the kind family, and the pleasant 

 home, in which I invite him to sojourn with me for a brief space. 



The head of the house, a gentleman of wonderful activity, seems something over 

 fifty ; bright, energetic aud accomplished, he came from Europe about three years 

 since with his wife and two sous to settle in the United States. He had already 

 done much for the Science of Pomology in his own country, and was in the enjoy- 

 ment of its fruits both by the acknowledged merits ascribed to his labors in Pomol- 

 ogical literature, and the vast amount of new and valuable varieties due to him, in 

 the production of Pears. Rut the limits of a continental estate became too narrow 

 for his enlarged views, and his free spirit seemed cramped in a country where the 

 statistics reminded him of a density of population necessarily affording but little 

 ow-room" for each num. This motive was sufficient to bring to our country 



