206 VARIETIES. 



I am decidedly of the opinion that there is no Pear which excels 

 this in all the good qualities of a fruit. There are but two defects, 

 and these are not serious. Its appearance is uninviting, much 

 resembling a russet apple, and the tree is a straggling, irregular 

 grower, its shoots being thin, twining, and sparsely set. Accord- 

 ingly, nurserymen sometimes work it high up, on some free grow- 

 ing variety, to form standards : but I have found no difficulty in 

 forming tolerably-shaped pyramids by summer pruning. 



It is hardy, with tough, close-grained wood, enabling it to 

 endure extremes ; is a moderately rapid grower, comes into bearing 

 early, and is very productive ; has an open habit unless shortened 

 in ; leaves small ; wood of a light yellowish brown. 



It has been much condemned on the Quince, and I think some- 

 what unjustly. I have found that, on this stock, it makes a vigor- 

 ous growth, a very firm union, and fruits well. 



The fruit is of medium size, and in the most favorable condi- 

 tions quite large ; is of a light grayish russet ; roundish, apple- 

 shaped ; melting, buttery, sweet, high flavored, and very juicy. 

 To obtain it of large size, the fruit must be much thinned, as the 

 tree is greatly inclined to overbearing. It grows in long clusters, 

 resembling ropes of onions. It often ripens by the middle of 

 November, but by care in preservation, may be kept until Christ- 

 mas. This variety, Mr. Downing says, holds the same rank 

 among winter fruits that the Seckel does among the autumn. 



