226 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



objection, more especially by those who raise fruit for market ; 

 but its excellent quality, and season of maturity, will render 

 it an acquisition to any amateur's collection. The truth is, 

 more importance has been attached to mere size than it 

 really deserves. When the public become better acquainted 

 with good pears, a delicious pear of small size will be chosen, 

 rather than a larger one of second or third rate quality. 

 Notwithstanding, we cannot help wishing this pear were a 

 little larger. Judge Livingston represents the tree as of good 

 form, of vigorous growth, and exceedingly productive. We 

 have given it the name of the Nonpariel, (jig. ?.J 



Size, five and one quarter inches in circumference, one 

 and a half inches in length, one and three quarters inches in 

 width: Form, roundish, slightly flattened at the apex: 

 Color, russety yellow, speckled with red : Stem, half an 

 inch long, in an open, shallow cavity : Calyx, large, 

 reflexed, in a very shallow basin: Core, large, slightly 

 gritty: Seed, dark brown, medium size : Flesh, fine, melting, 

 sugary, juicy; with a rich vinous flavor resembling the Seckel : 

 Qiialiti/, best. Keeps till middle of December. 



THE GREAT WATER LILY OF AMERICA. 



BY J. F. ALLEN, SALEM, MASS. 



In the Magazine of Horticulture for the year 1853, pages 

 368 to 372, is the partial diary of the growth of the first 

 Victoria Regia raised in Massachusetts. To complete this, 

 it is only necessary to state that the plant continued to thrive 

 and flower until December. In this month it suffered from 

 an unusual number of cloudy days, though still forming leaf 

 and flower buds regularly, every successive one being of di- 

 minished size. The last few days of the year were memora- 

 ble for the great snow storm which occurred at that time, 

 remarkable not only for the great quantity of snow which fell, 

 but for the high wind and excessive cold. 



This snow, and ice formed by the melting snow from the 

 joof of the lily house, accumulated to such an extent as to 



