KEPORTS OF THE FEUIT 



H. 0. Carre, Esq., Val Nord, Guernsey, communicated the 

 results of some experiments whicli he had made, ^vith regard to 

 Improving the flavour of Pears, by heat and hght under glass. 

 Last autumn, he placed on a broad shelf in the warmest part of 

 a greenhouse, near the glass at top, various kinds of pears, as 

 soon as they were gathered from the trees ; some were likewise 

 placed near the front sashes. The fruit was thus exposed to heat 

 and sunlight, and the improvement in flavour, as regards some 

 varieties was most remarkable : the following kinds being more 

 especially benefited : — Louise Bonne {of Jersey), Beurre d'Aman- 

 lis, Eyewood, Glou Morceau, Winter Nelis, Gansel's Bergamot. 

 The Louise Bonne was growing in a shaded situation, and the 

 fruit, in consequence, was pale and comparatively watery in 

 quality, but placed as above, it became of excellent flavour, 

 although a little shrivelled from the loss of superabundant watery 

 juice. The Winter Nelis, Mr. Caere stated, was improved to a 

 very great degree. He intends to prosecute his experiments ; 

 and from his success last season, he believes that in many parts 

 of England, where pears do not ripen well, they may be rendered 

 much more melting and sugary by adopting the plan of exposing 

 them to light and heat, when gathered, than if they are kept in 

 the ordinary way. The Committee were of opinion that, as the 

 subject was of great importance, Mr. Carrie's plan should be 

 made known, and recommended for trial in this country. 



A letter from Charles Strickland, Esq., F.H.S., was read, 

 in which he expressed his intention of trying, at home, the 

 qualities of such kinds of Kitchen Apples as he can collect in 

 Yorkshire, and of sending specimens of each, with an account of 

 where they grow, &c., and his remarks as to their quality, to the 

 Committee,— a plan he recommended others of the Committee to 

 adopt in different parts of England. " There is," he observes, 

 "a practical difficulty in the London Committee alone dealing 

 with so extensive a subject as that of Kitchen Apples, but the 

 difficulty will be got over, and the expense much lessened, if the 

 members of the Committee individually will pay attention to it, 

 and furnish the Committee with the results." 



March 1, 1859 (21, Begent Street.y-Mr. Edmonds, F.H.S., in 



the Chair. 



Prizes of 20s. and 10s. were offered at this meeting, for the 



best dishes of six Beurre Ranee Pears, accompanied by p'articulars 



of their growth. The following were competitors :— Mr. Hill, 



