MARCH. 147 



worthy of recommendation according to the opinion of the 

 author. Alas! with few exceptions, these varieties no longer 

 exist in the collections of amateurs, nor in the nurseries, at 

 least not in ours. Van Mons had numerous correspondents, 

 in America especially, in Germany, England, and France ; 

 and he frequently sent grafts of his new pears with numbers 

 only. The above indications may, therefore, prove useful to 

 those who may have received grafts, but are not in possession 

 of the catalogue of 1823. 



Twenty-five years ago, I commenced the formation of my 

 present collection of fruit trees ; and I have successively added 

 to it all the best varieties in the trade, and also such as I 

 could discover in the collections of the most intelligent ama- 

 teurs. These varieties, which are all grown on the pear stock, 

 have been carefully studied in my nursery, and in the gardens 

 of my friends, under different circumstances of soil and as- 

 pect. Their examination is, however, far from being com- 

 plete as regards the latest novelties ; for in order to be sure of 

 them, they must be seen during several periods of growth 

 and production. Indeed, it is not sufficient to remark the 

 vigor of a variety of the pear tree ; it is also necessary to as- 

 certain its hardiness after it has been for some time in full 

 bearing, this being the principal test of its merit. The last 

 three seasons have been very favorable for ascertaining this 

 property of hardiness, on account of the extreme variations 

 of the weather during the winter and spring. 



My nursery of fruit trees is established in a situation ex- 

 posed to every wind, and all severities of the climate through- 

 out the year. The ground is slightly inclined to the west ; 

 the surface soil is light ; the subsoil in certain parts a layer of 

 siliceous marl, or marly clay. The subsoil of the lower por- 

 tion is alluvial. The land, in short, possesses all the condi- 

 tions desirable for the growth of the pear tree, both on the* 

 pear stock and on the quince. In this nursery, about a hec- 

 tare [nearly 2| acres] is planted for examination and compar- 

 ison : 



