486 Pomological Gossip. 



Art. II. Pomological GosSip. 



New Pears. — The favorable season and abundant crop of 

 pears the present year has afforded a fine opportunity to see 

 many of the newer introduced kinds in their best condition. 

 In the two preceding years, the trees have been so small and 

 the crop so scanty that perhaps not more than half a dozen 

 specimens have been gathered from a tree, and those only 

 of ordinary size. Yet it is from such fruit that we have 

 had to form an opinion, unless we would let the opportunity 

 pass, till time and a favorable season would afford a greater 

 quantity of fruit : consequently, in many instances the true 

 character of some of the varieties has not been exhibited ; 

 and though enough may have been sometimes seen to gather 

 a fair idea of what a fruit may be, in others, no correct esti- 

 mate could be formed. 



We think there can be no doubt that some very superior 

 varieties will be discovered among the multitudes which have 

 been introduced into our gardens. Indeed, it would be re- 

 markable if there should not ; for, among the great number 

 of kinds which are annually produced by the Belgian and 

 French pomologists, it would be almost impossible not to 

 have some superior sorts ; and though the task of proving all 

 is an expensive and patient operation, it is all-important that 

 it should be done, that the few meritorious sorts should be 

 distinguished from the worthless kinds which are indiscrimi- 

 nately offered to cultivators. 



The season is not yet sufficiently advanced to test the 

 later autumn pears, but of such as have so far ripened, some 

 of them prematurely, we annex the following account : — 



Beurre Sterkinans. — A russety-looking fruit, with some- 

 what the appearance of the Brown Beurre, but more full and 

 rounded at the stem. Flesh, buttery, melting, juicy, high- 

 flavored and delicious. It is a most superior fruit. Oct. and 

 November. 



Poire d'Albret. — Medium size, with a deep cinnamon rus- 

 set skin ; somewhat peculiar in shape, pyramidal, swollen on 



