Pendleton^ s Early York Pear. 393 



number of years, very bountifully, so much so, that it has 

 very much impeded its growth. Instead of cuUivating the 

 tree and tliinning the fruit upon it, as should ha':e been done, 

 recourse has only been had to propping up the branches, to 

 enable them to sustain the weight of fruit. 



The trte is naturally rather vigorous, I conclude, from the 

 one or two examples in which it has been grafted : the 

 young wood is a dark olive : the leaf, which is nearly of a 

 grassy green color, is very large, regular, and glossy, and 

 forms the most striking and distinguishing characteristic of 

 the tree, and is well calculated, to excite the amateur's curi- 

 osity. 



The fruit, which partakes somewhat of the flavor of its 

 parent, is decidedly superior to it, whether we regard its size, 

 flavor, texture, general appearance, or time of ripening, which 

 is a fortnight earlier. Nor does it commence decaying at the 

 core when overripe, like its parent, (judging from what spe- 

 cimens I have seen,) but, like the Bartlett, which it some- 

 what resembles in color, begins on the surface. 



Fruity rather large, obovate, varying to obtuse pyriform : 

 Sk'm^ smooth, thin, pale, greenish-yellow, dotted with small 

 russet specks, and, in exposed specimens, occasionally exhib- 

 its a faint blush : Slalk, about an inch long, rather curved, 

 and placed in a moderate cavity : Calyx, (with short seg- 

 ments,) open, small, tinged beautifully with a deUcate red, 

 occupying a rather small, irregular basin : Flesh, light-colored, 

 tender, rather fine-grained, and melting : Flavor, sweet, 

 sprightly, agreeable, and slightly perfumed. Ripens from the 

 middle to the latter part of July. 



I send you an exact outline, drawn from the last pear taken 

 from the tree on the 4(h of August, which was then ripe. 



Should you deem the description of this pear worthy of in- 

 sertion in your journal, by forwarding the number containing 

 it, you will confer a favor on your friend, which, I trust, will 

 not soon be forgotten. 



If you please, you may designate the pear by the name of 

 '•Penolkton's Early York." Another year, if an opportu- 

 nity occurs, I intend to send you specimens. 



Pendleloii Hill, Conn., August 22c/, 1848. 



