r >0 NOTES ON SOME DESIRABLE FRUITS. 



juicy, melting, and of excellent quality. The tree seems to be hardy, very 

 productive, and the fruit ripens about the middle of August. Notwithstand- 

 ing the many fine varieties now under cultivation, we invite attention to this 

 one, believing that it has qualifications which render it worthy of the atten- 

 tion of both amateur and orchardist. 



[Published in the Country Gentleman.'] 



A Splendid Early Pear. 



Petite Marguerite is one of M. Andre Leroy's seedlings, and was held in 

 such high esteem by that celebrated French pomologist that he named it 

 after the youngest of his grand-daughters. In the year 1863 it was first 

 offered in France, and in this country it has been on trial several years, but 

 not until recently have its merits been recognized, and its propagation and 

 dissemination seriously undertaken. This shows how much time is required 

 to determine the value and to raise a stock of a new fruit. M. Leroy was 

 remarkably fortunate in the production of choice pears, but many of his 

 seedlings, like Eugene Appert, Henri Desportes, Madame B. Despcrtes, 

 Mme. Andre Leroy, and Maurice Despories, are such indifferent growers 

 that nurserymen will not attempt to propagate them, and these sorts must 

 therefore remain comparatively unknown, at least until a higher estimate is 

 placed upon quality, and cultivators are willing to pay an extra price for 

 choice kinds that are difficult to raise in the nursery. These varieties will 

 all have to be double worked, which of course adds to the cost of the tree. 

 Petite Marguerite, although a moderate grower, both on pear and quince, 

 is sufficiently vigorous to satisfy nurserymen, and I hope in the near future 

 to see this valuable pear extensively propagated in the nurseries. The list 

 of choice early pears is not so large but a few more good sorts may be 

 added, and I am certain that all lovers of fine fruits will welcome the new 

 comer. There is no doubt that when this pear becomes known it will be 

 regarded as indispensable. 



It is of medium size, just large enough to be acceptable as a dessert 

 fruit ; skin green, covered with grey and brown dots, and sometimes 

 bronzed on the side exposed to the sun ; flesh greenish white, fine, melting, 

 juicy, acidulous, with a pleasant perfume. Ripening, as it does, about ten 

 days before the Bartlett, it possesses a particular value as an early pear. 

 As a fruit of the very first quality, it can be highly recommended to con- 

 noisseurs for the table, but it is not large and showy enough for market. 

 M. Leroy, in his "Dictionnaire de Pomologie," describes it as the best pear 

 ripening in August. We believe this statement to be as true in America as 

 it is in France. 



