The Long Green of Autumn Pear. 493 



of the very oldest of our pears now in cultivation ; its origin 

 and history are lost in its antiquity ; the former, probably, 

 dating back to the time of that of the Autumn Bergamot, 

 Bon Chretien d'Ete, and others, of a remote period. The re- 

 mains of a tree of this variety, with a trunk 15 to 18 inches 

 in diameter, is yet standing in my garden, that, 40 years 

 ago, was as large as it now is, with, at that time, every ap- 

 pearance of an aged tree; and that, from a knowledge of the 

 time when this garden was laid out, as well as that its past and 

 present appearance justifies the supposition, I have no doubt 

 it is at least 100 years old. Other trees of this variety, and, 

 apparently, of about the same age, are to be found in this 

 city, and, I doubt not, in Boston or its vicinity also, unless 

 that, as is most probable, in the latter city they have been 

 compelled to yield the ground they occupied to other uses. 

 This pear, I have no question, is of foreign origin, and as 

 little doubt that it was among the very first introduced from 

 abroad into this country. 



Its merits have, I think, been somewhat overlooked, and 

 its place sometimes supplied by more recent introductions, 

 that, frequently, have not much but novelty to recommend 

 them. I have been familiar with this fruit from my boy- 

 hood, and have eaten of it every year, probably, for the last 

 40 years, and though it may not be quite first-rate, or to be 

 ranked quite on an equaUty with some of them, in point of 

 excellence, 1 have considered it worthy of a place with the 

 Brown Beurre, the St. Michael, and St. Germain, old estab- 

 lished favorites, that even now, when produced in perfection, 

 have {^^ or no superiors. The fruit of the Verte Longue 

 d'Aiitomne is, as cannot be said of the others, yet fair, free 

 from blight or canker, and shows no sign of deterioration. 

 The tree is a most abundant and constant bearer, the fruit, 

 as it were, strung on to the branches, in strings, like ropes of 

 onions; it produces yearly large crops of pears, of a very 

 pleasant, though not high flavor, somewhat not unlike that 

 of the Sweet Water grape, and, like it also, a mere bag of 

 juice. How far, if at all, its age should prevent it from being 

 considered as worthy of a general or very extended cultiva- 

 tion, I leave to others to decide, and about this, intend to ex- 

 press no opinion. 



With respect to the correct name of this variety, concern- 



