220 rOK MAHKET CULTIVATION ON QUINCE. 



Vicar of Winkfield. 



Cure, 



Monsieur le Cure. 



Belle de Bern, 



Comill de Toulon, 

 Belle Adrienne, 

 Belle Heloise Clion. 



DECEilBEE. 



While this fruit has few of the high qualities that amateurs 

 now require from a pear, to place it in the first rank, it has still 

 such valuable properties that it must receive attention. As a 

 market fruit, there is none which, I think, when all its qualifica- 

 tions are taken into consideration, will have a higher value. The 

 tree is very hardy, and probably the most vigorous grower of all 

 pears, making very stout, curving, and stocky shoots. It comes 

 quite early into bearing, and has the uncommon fault of maturing 

 twice the number of fruits which the tree should bear, without 

 much lessening the quantity borne in succeeding years, or checking 

 entirely its growth. When the fruit is thinned to one-fourth, or 

 one-half, the pears reach a very large size, and are much improved 

 in flavor : but when small, the fruit is astringent, hard, and seldom 

 ripening so as to be eatable. The first requisites in the treatment 

 of this fruit are, thinning to the number which will become full 

 grown, and continuing it upon the tree as late as safety from frosts 

 will allow. Mr. Samuel Walker and Col. Wilder esteem this 

 fruit so highly, that they were heard to say, many years ago, that 

 should they be confined in their choice to a single variety, they would 

 strongly incline to select the Vicar; and at the last Pomological Con- 

 vention, stated that their more recent experience confirmed their 

 earlier belief. Its hardiness, great vigor, early prolific, and con- 

 stant bearing — its large size, fine shape, rich color, and late keeping, 

 overcome the serious objections to it which would condemn any 

 other fruit. It is never melting, nor high flavored, though richly 

 perfumed, is often astringent when not well grown, and when 

 eaten too ripe, is mealy and dry. But when just ripe, it is crisp 

 and tender, with an over- abundance of juice, of a pleasant acid 

 flavor, w^hich is particularly grateful, as being enjoyed during the 

 season when autumn fruits are long gone, and winter fruits not 

 yet ripened. But it is absolutely necessary that the following 



