268 BEPORT OP THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTURE. 



Department. There were twelve trees in this first and only importa- 

 tion, which were secured for him by a lady then traveling in Brazil. 

 It was sent out by this Department under the name Bahia, but was 

 by some changed to Washington Navel. Two of the first trees to 

 bear, aside from the orange house of this Department, were on the 

 grounds of Mrs. L. C. Tibbetts, at Riverside, Cal., and as buds were 

 taken from these trees it got the name of Riverside Navel. 



The accompanying colored illustrations were made from a specimen 

 grown by Mr. E. H. Hart, of Federal Point, Fla., and are exactly 

 life size. It is rarely that even one seed is found in a specimen, and 

 the flavor of the fruit is par excellence. By some it is said to be a 

 rather shy bearer. The investigation of this subject is now occupy- 

 ing my attention, and it is hoped that b^ another year we may have 

 the matter quite conclusively settled. There is also such a wide di- 

 versity of opinion as to whether the name Bahia or Washington 

 Navel should supersede, and it may be found best to accept the latter. 



THE PEAR. 



Le Conte. 



This pear is now attracting much attention, especially in the South. 

 In answer to a letter of mine, making inquiry as to the early history 

 of this variety, the following was received from Mr. John L. Harden, 

 of Walthourville, Ga. : 



Maj. John Le Conte, of New York City (and afterwards of Philadelphia), in the 

 year 1850 had a number of fruit trees and other plants put up for his niece (Mrs. J. 

 L. C. Harden, my mother), of Liberty County, Georgia, at a nursery in New York 

 or Philadelphia (most probably New York), and among them was a rooted cutting 

 of what was marked " Chinese Sand Pear." Major Le Conte was informed by the 

 proprietor of the nursery that the pear was only fit for preserving, as it never ma- 

 tured in this coxmtry. Contrary, however, to expectation, it matured in Liberty 

 County, and proved to be a fine and productive pear. The original tree is now 

 owned by my mother's heirs, and is still vigorous, although not cultivated in any 

 way, and produces from 10 to 20 bushels each year. 



So far as I know, there is no disease to which it is liable. I have known one of 

 my own t^ken from the mother tree that died partially, but I allowed it to remain 

 the whole season tlirough, pruned off the dead branches in the fall of the year, and 

 it is stni livmg and is vigorous. 



Size, large; shape, roundish, conical, tapering towards both ends; 

 surface, smooth, yellow, no russet, no blush; dots, very numerous, 

 small; basin, narrow and deep; eye, small, open, segments often drop 

 off; apex, very slightly sunken; stem, medium length and stout; core, 

 large, closed; seeds, large, light colored; flesh, very tender, juicy, rots 

 at core; flavor, not rich, but pleasant, somewhat astringent; quality, 

 medium, not equal to Flemish Beauty. 



THE APPLE. 



ArJca7isas Black. 



This is a variety that has been making a favorable impression both 

 in the region in which it is grown and upon pomologists who have 

 investigated its qualities. Although I haA^e not seen the tree, and do 

 not know of it from personal experience, it is reported on good au- 

 thority to be productive. There is scarcely an apple that is more 

 brilliantly colored. The specimen here described and illustrated was 

 grown in 1886 by H. B. Woolsey, of Bentonville, Ark. 



Size, medium, 2i to 3 inches; shape, round or slightly conical, reg- 



