LEAF-BLIGnT OF SEEDLINGS. 57 



improvement of the Pear, and the noble fruits obtained 

 by the gentlemen named, we have been indebted to 

 accident, or rather to the voluntary contributions of 

 Kature, for those pears which rank the highest in 

 beauty, flavor, and general excellence. The Duchesse, 

 found in a hedge at Angers ; the Seckel, in the woods 

 of Pennsylvania; the Yirgalieu, the Bartlett, and the 

 Louise Bonne de Jersey, whose origin is not believed 

 to be the subject of design, all confirm this view; 

 while we must acknowledge that there is a delicacy 

 in the constitution of many of the pears obtained by 

 scientific propagation, that renders them inferior to 

 the accidental varieties. 



In fact, the superior vigor and hardiness of those 

 varieties obtained through accident, alone enabled 

 them to survive the neglect and difiiculties under 

 which they sprang into existence ; the high-flavored, 

 large, and truly splendid varieties produced by scien- 

 tific skill and high cultivation, maintain their superi- 

 ority only under the conditions in which they were 

 nurtured. I have seen the Duchesse d'Angoulemo 

 growing on quince stock, for twelve years, in a grass 

 plot, without attention, where it had been planted 

 wdien twenty years old, and yet producing large, 

 melting fruit. 



A Flemish Beauty, Beurre Bosc, or Beurre DIol would 

 have succumbed under this treatment long before. 



LEAF-BLIGHT OF SEEDLINGS. 



Leaf-blight is the terror of nurserymen, and when 

 it makes its decided appearance, his hope of success 

 fur the season is at an eml. 



