110 DESCRIPTION AND PLAN OF A FRUIT-ROOM. 



known some new fact which, but for it, would not have been 

 observed ; it suggests experiment after experiment for tlie pur- 

 pose of thoroughly investigating the natural history of the plant 

 in question. Horticulture is, in short, of the utmost importance 

 to the physiologist as well as to the farmer, and forms the con- 

 necting link between the science of the naturalist and that of the 

 agriculturist. 



VIII. — Description and Plan of a Fruit-room belonging to 

 Josiah Moorman, Esq., Clapham-road ; with some Remarks. 

 By Robert Thompson. 



The supply of fruit in autumn is almost superabundant in 

 favourable seasons, and in varieties there is then an ample 

 choice. Many of these, however, are naturally of so short dura- 

 tion, that they cannot be long kept well under any circum- 

 stances. Means may be adopted for preventing their decompo- 

 sition, but their flavour is frequently deteriorated or completely 

 lost. In general, those kinds that ripen early soon decay ; and 

 a large proportion of the fruit cultivated by extensive growers 

 is of this description, because it pays them better to take such at 

 once to market than run the risk consequent on the keeping of 

 later varieties. Hence we find that towards Christmas the quan- 

 tity of fruit, of Pears more especially, is greatly diminished, and 

 that the choice is reduced to comparatively few sorts. Such fa- 

 vourites as the Marie Louise and Beurre Bosc are not to be had 

 under ordinary circumstances. In January the scarcity becomes 

 greater, and Jersey Chaumontels make their appearance, im- 

 ported at the high price of, not unfrequently, five pounds per 

 hundred ; whilst well matured specimens of the Easter Beurre 

 and Beurre Ranee are in request, leaving the greener and less 

 perfect of these, and a few of some other sorts, to make occa- 

 sionally the appearance of supply during the spring months — 

 quite inadequate, however, to meet anything like a regular de- 

 mand, such as would certainly be made if pears could be well 

 kept in abundance till that period. 



The high state of perfection in which fine specimens of pears 

 have been frequently exhibited to the Society by Mr. Moorman 

 at periods of the season much later than the varieties usually 

 keep, rendered it very desirable to obtain an account of the 

 method by which these were preserved in such admirable condi- 

 tion. On applying to Mr. Moorman he kindly afforded every 

 information with regard to the mode by which his pears are 

 kept; and he also permitted Mr. Sibthorp, the Superinteiident 

 of Works at the Society's Garden, to make the accompanying 

 drawings, which will give a correct idea of the place. 



