340 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 



several specimens of a pear, which he found growing in a 

 garden, in western New York, and which he supposed to be 

 a new variety, at the same time requesting us to inform him if 

 the pear was known around Boston. We immediately in- 

 formed him it was the well known Bleeker's Meadow. In re- 

 ply he stated, that, " whether the old Bleeker's Meadow or not, 

 it was a variety which he considered much superior to many 

 kinds, cultivated as first-rate fruits." It is of handsome appear- 

 ance, with a high musky flavor, perhaps too much so for 

 some tastes; but, if the flesh was more melting, it would be 

 a very fine pear. The tree is of the most vigorous habit, 

 with erect branches, attaining a large size in a few years ; 

 and, in consequence of this, it is made use of as a stock on 

 which to engraft slender growing kinds. It is also an abund- 

 ant bearer, after it once begins to produce fruit. 



The Bleeker's Meadow originated in Pennsylvania, and is 

 stated to have been raised from the Seckel. It was first 

 brought to notice by the late William Prince, of Flushing, 

 L. I. Wood, dull dark ashy gray, 



Size, medium, about two and a half inches long, and two 

 and a half in diameter : Form, roundish obovate, largest 

 in the middle, tapering little to the stem : Skin, fair, smooth, 

 pale yellow when mature, very regularly covered with round 

 russet specks, and dotted with crimson on the sunny side : 

 Stem, medium length, about one inch, slender, straight, and 

 obliquely inserted without any cavity : Eye, large, open, and 

 scarcely depressed below the surface of the crown ; segments 

 of the calyx short, roundish, quite reflexed : Flesh, white, 

 coarse, rather crisp and juicy : Flavor, brisk and sugary, with 

 a strong musky perfume : Core, large : Seeds, rather large, 

 pale brown. Ripe in November, and keeps some time. 



99, SuRPAssE ViRGouLousE. Book of Fruits, 1st Ed, No. 36. 



Surpasse Virgalieu. Fruits and Fruit Trees of America. 



Perhaps we are in error in classing this among our Ameri- 

 can varieties of pears ; but the best evidence that it is so, is, 

 that of four or five hundred kinds received by the late Mr. 

 Manning, from various sources in England and France, and 

 which have produced fruit in the Pomological Garden, the 



