92 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETV. 



will also be understood that it is intended that these remarks shall only be 

 considered as applicable to the vicinity of Boston. Of the adaptation or 

 unadaptation of the pear, to other and perhaps distant parts of the country, 

 and of the profit or loss attending its cultivation in such, no personal 

 knowledge is possessed, neither has any opportunity for forming an opinion 

 upon either of these subjects been afforded, and none is therefore expressed. 

 In a country, so extensive as the United States, with such a diversity of 

 soil and climate, it can hardiy fail to happen that different sections will 

 require different objects of cultivation ; that what succeeds in one may fail 

 in others, and that this applies to pear as well as to other cultures. 



It is apparent that in the preceding remarks great stress is laid upon a 

 selection of varieties for cultivation. There is, it is believed, nearly or 

 quite as much difference in the constitution, hardihood, and vigor of pear 

 trees as of animals. While some are of hardy, vigorous, strong growth, 

 others are weakly, and of feeble, slender habit, and this difference manifests 

 itself in the first stages, and continues through all the periods of existence. 

 In a climate like this, subject not only to such extremes, but also to such 

 sudden alternations of temperature, as well as to such excess or deficiency 

 of rain, it is important to select varieties, that, from their habit, will be most 

 probably able to resist its vicissitudes. The character of the fruit too is 

 also to be considered in making this selection ; some pears of superior quali- 

 ty are so disposed to blight and crack as to be worthless ; while others that 

 are perhaps inferior to the best in quality, yet being always smooth and 

 handsome are desirable. 



As has been before said, this is not an occasion to attempt a treatise on 

 cultivation. Yet, to name a few varieties, that, judging from past expe- 

 rience, will be, it is thought, most likely to give satisfaction, may not be 

 out of place. 



And first upon the list is placed that universal favorite, the Bartlett, that, 

 although injured the past winter, has usually seemed to thrive in almost 

 all places, and under almost all circumstances; and then the Golden Beurre 

 of Bilboa, that seems hardy, is a good bearer, and in appearance exceed- 

 ingly attractive, from its golden-yellow color ; the Doyenne Boussock, a 

 variety extensively cultivated in Belgium, desirable for its size and beau- 

 ty, strong and vigorous on its own roots, but not suited to the quince. 

 The Due de Brabant or Waterloo, a strong- growing tree, and large 

 fruit; the Louise Bonne de Jersey, and the Swan's Orange, an American 

 variety, an exceedingly beautiful tree, with large fruit, of good, if not 

 the best quality ; the Merriam, the Adams, the Abbot and the Shel- 

 don, all of native origin, and the Beurre Bosc, a fine tree, and very fine 

 fruit — that may, as Autumn pears, all be safely recommended for cultiva- 

 tion. To these should be added, perhaps, the Beurre d'Anjou, the Beurr6 

 Hardy, and Due d'Orleans, not yet thoroughly tested, but giving promise 

 of being adapted to the purposes of American cultivators. 



Of the Winter varieties, among the best may be placed the Winter 

 Nelis, not a handsome tree, but a good bearer, a universal favorite, and 

 generally succeeding. The Beurre Langelier, and Glout Morceau, both 



