184 



THE MAGAZINE OF HOKTICULTURE. 



conclusions, with respect to quality, at an early period, as this ;" 

 oftentimes a change of opinion being rendered necessary by 

 a change, after continued cultivation, in the fruit. Sometimes 

 a pear is of such decided excellence at first fruiting that no 

 doubt concerning its quality need be entertained ; but in 

 many cases a change in the fruit takes place with age in the 

 tree, so that fruit, at first indifferent, becomes fine, and thus 

 renders it dangerous to come to an early conclusion with re- 

 spect to them. New pears are, however, the only ones of 

 which an account can be of any interest ; and of such, this 

 must be attempted at the risk alluded to. Those commenc- 

 ing the culture of this fruit will probably find it for their 

 interest to adhere to the older and well established varieties, 

 and thus avoid the disappointments to which that of the 

 newer ones is incident. The past year did not afford an op- 

 portunity to test many new varieties of this species of fruit. 

 Of a few, perhaps not entirely new, yet those with which 

 cultivators are not generally acquainted, brief descriptions 

 will now be given : — 



Dana's Seedlings. — In addition to those heretofore noticed, 

 others of the seedling pears of Mr. Francis Dana, of Roxbury, 

 have fruited the past year, and been by him exhibited; among 

 others, those designated by him as No. 21 and No. 12. 



Da?ia^s Seedling No. 21. — Ripe on 20th August, a rather 

 small pear, thick yellow skin, with russet specks, and some- 

 times blotches of russet ; calyx partly closed ; flesh yel- 

 lowish white, juicy, melting, of a pleasant subacid flavor. 



Dana^s Seedling No. 12. — In shape and size very much 

 resembles the Bartlett ; has a light yellow skin, with russet 

 specks ; calyx closed ; no depression at calyx, but flesh laying 

 about it in folds ; flesh tender, juicy, and though of a brisk 

 subacid flavor, with much sweetness, very good ; seeds of a 

 roundish form, and very large ; season first of September. 



Shephard^s Seedling. — This pear seems to be a cross be- 

 tween the Urbaniste and Flemish Beauty. The tree was 7 

 years old in the spring of 1854, and first bore fruit in 1853 ; 

 raised by Mr. James Shephard of Dorchester. The fruit is 

 large, with a yellow skin covered with russet specks, a little 



