494 The Long Green of A7iium?i Pear. 



ing which some remarks are made in the article alluded to, 

 I have no information to impart. When I first remember it, 

 at a time when not much attention was given to the subject 

 of the nomenclature of fruits, it was, in this city, frequently 

 called the St. Germain, probably from some supposed general 

 likeness to the pear of that variety, but to which, in fact, it 

 bears no resemblance ; and in Boston Avas sometimes called 

 the Swan's Egg, though with no better claims to that appel- 

 lation. So far as my knowledge extends, the name " Verte 

 Longue d'Automne," very probably the correct one, was first 

 applied to it by the late Robert Manning, of this city, who, as 

 I learnt from him, in repeated conversations in relation to it, 

 knew nothing of its origin or history, and previously was ig- 

 norant of its name, in consequence of a description of the 

 fruit or trees, of this variety, having been received by him 

 from Europe, under that name. 



To distinguish this pear from that usually known as the 

 Long Green, it has been designated as the Long Green of 

 Autumn, sometimes of Europe, the other being called the 

 Long Green of Coxe. If the appellation Long Green, des- 

 criptive, in some degree, of both varieties, is a matter of mo- 

 ment to either, I have no doubt that the one to which this 

 communication relates, would, if that is the one by which it 

 has been known and cultivated in Europe, have, by priority 

 of claim, a prescriptive right to the appellation ; but, as the 

 claims of each to it are now so established by use, it will, 

 probably, be found necessary to continue the application of it 

 to each variety, with the additions now customary, to sever- 

 ally designate them. 



The error to which I alluded, in the commencement of this 

 communication, relates to the time of ripening of the Verte 

 Longue d'Automne — this, in the article referred to, is said to 

 be about three weeks after that of the Long Green — but 

 which I should place at a much later period, and consider 

 that November may be said as its season of maturity. 



I have troubled you with this long communication, on a 

 matter of no great moment, but in which I felt some interest, 

 because it relates to a fruit, — perhaps as much from youth- 

 ful associations as its own merits, — that is with me an estab- 

 lished favorite. 



Salem, Oct. 25, 1849. 



