8 DESULTORY REMARKS. 



for the dessert, but in general they have become worthless, and are no 

 longer raised on standards, or in the open ground. We are more than 

 compensated for their loss by the new Flemish pears, introduced into 

 the United States by the liberality of the London Horticultural Society, 

 and of Doctor J. B. Van Mons. These new fruits have in most instan- 

 ces fulfilled our highest expectations. 



There has also been a large accession to the number of fine Plums 

 cultivated in New England, both by introductions from Europe, and by 

 new varieties of local origin. 



From our collection of Plums, not yet proved, we have much to an- 

 ticipate ; we earnest^' hope to find among them fruits not only of great 

 beauty and delicious flavour, but free from those fatal diseases which 

 now disfigure and destroy the finest trees of this species. 



We have obtained fewer additions to the catalogue of Cherries than 

 to that of any other fruit ; partly because the season for them is so short, 

 that a few varieties suffice for the interval from the first to the latest 

 ripening; and because we already possessed a few fine sorts, which 

 neither in their growth nor fruit partook in the smallest degree of the de- 

 generacy of the old pears, and some other species; but principally, at 

 least this was our own case, from the difficulty of protecting them from 

 the birds. The last season we had but few perfect specimens, except 

 the Bigarreau. We expected to prove and bring into notice many new 

 and valuable sorts, and our disappointment may be imagined at finding 

 ourselves in every instance anticipated by these innocent depredators. 

 Such has been the security they have felt in our grounds, and so great 

 their increase, that not only Cherries, Gooseberries and Currants r but 

 Apples, Pears and Plums have shared in their ravages, and given proof 

 of their good taste, which invariably leads them to the finest fruit; and 

 it may become a matter for serious consideration, whether in continuing 

 our protection to them, we do not risk the total loss of some of the most 

 desirable appendages to the dessert. 



It will be observed, that but few Peaches are included among our 

 descriptions. We had collected from Europe many fine varieties, and 

 from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, a very large number 

 of the most celebrated in those States, where the climate is so favoura- 

 ble to their cultivation ; these trees were planted out as specimens, and 

 for many years produced an abundance of delicious fruit; but they have 



